The Muldrow Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary Post 8384 is offering two scholarship contests and awards to local students, Voice of Democracy (VOD) and Patriot’s Pen (PP). This year’s theme for both contests is, “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country.”

VOD is open to students in grades ninth through 12th and is a speech recorded on a CD or audio flash drive, three to six minutes in length. If the student wins first at the state level, they advance to national competition with a chance to win up to $35,000.

PP is open to students in grades sixth through eighth and consists of writing a 300 to 400 word essay. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place at the local, district and state levels. If the student wins first at the state level, they advance to the national competition and a chance to win up to $5,000.

Both contests are open to students that attend public or private school, an accredited satellite school, or are home-schooled in Oklahoma.

All speeches and essays are to be turned in by 6 p.m. Friday, October 31, at their school office, Muldrow Library, or VFW Post 8384.

Entry form with the rules for each scholarship can be obtained by contacting your school’s English or History teacher, Muldrow Library, VFW Post 8384 Quartermaster Johnathan Wagley at 479289-4426, or VFW Auxiliary Post 8384 Jr. Vice President Jackie Plank at 479-883-5661.

You can also check out the VFW.com website under scholarships and listen to last year’s winning speech and essay, and get an application and rules. If you choose do this, please see that your essay or speech is at the VFW Post 8384 (112324 Wilson Rock Road, Muldrow), the school you are attending physically, Muldrow Library before their closing time, or VFW Post 8384 by 6 p.m. on Oct. 31.