WASHINGTON – Tonight the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) proudly presented more than $173,000 in scholarships and awards as it named the national winners of its 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions.
This year’s national winners were announced at the 2024 VFW Washington Conference in Washington, D.C., during the 77th annual Parade of Winners ceremony, sponsored by Twisted X.
VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento was joined by VFW Auxiliary President Carla Martinez to announce this year’s national Voice of Democracy first place winner, Sophia Lin, and present her with the top $35,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship first place prize. Lin, a high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, was sponsored by Scottsdale VFW Post 3513. She delivered her winning essay on this year’s theme, “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?” during this evening’s ceremony.
PHOTO CUTLINE: LEFT – VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento (right) and VFW Auxiliary President Carla Martinez (left) present Voice of Democracy first place winner Sophia Lin (center) with her $35,000 award. RIGHT – VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento (right) and VFW Auxiliary President Carla Martinez (left) present Patriot’s Pen first place winner Bryant Day (center) with his $5,000 award.Second place winner Ella Catchpole, a senior at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Wyoming, sponsored by VFW Post 9439 and its Auxiliary in Casper, was awarded the $21,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship. Lydia Prout, a junior at Melrose Area High School in Melrose, Minnesota, who was sponsored by Melrose VFW Post 7050 and its Auxiliary, was named the third place winner and awarded the $15,000 VFW Scholarship. All other state winners received at least a $1,000 college scholarship. See the complete list of 2024 Voice of Democracy national winners.
Also featured during tonight’s awards ceremony was the 2024 Patriot’s Pen first place winner, Bryant Day. Sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary located in Mansfield, Ohio, Day was awarded the top Patriot’s Pen award of $5,000. Watch as he delivered his winning essay during this evening's ceremony on this year’s theme, “How Are You Inspired by America?”
The Patriot’s Pen second place winner, Peeradon Bauman, sponsored by VFW Post 12146 located in Ban Chang, Rayong Province, Thailand, will receive a $4,000 award, while third place winner Anisha Hiremath, sponsored by VFW Post 12104 in Bastrop, Texas, will receive a $3,500 award. See the complete list of 2024 Patriot’s Pen national winners.
Learn more about the VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs here.