Windham-Raymond RSU 14 students in grades 4 through high school, have an opportunity to compete in the annual essay competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Nov. 1 is the deadline for student entries.

Commander Roger Timmons of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10643 in Windham has announced the kick-off of this year’s VFW “Patriot’s Pen Essay Competition.”

Grades 4 and 5 students have the opportunity to compete in the annual essay competition on a local level and win $100 for first place and $50 for second place. Students are invited to write a 300-400 word essay on the 2014 theme, “What Patriotism Means to Me.” Deadline for entries is Nov. 1.

Middle School students in grades 6-8 have the same opportunity, except their competition begins at the local VFW Post and Post winners advance to district level, then to the state completion. State winners compete for $46,000 in awards with the first place award of $5,000. Deadline is Nov. 1. Students must write a 300-400 word essay on “What Patriotism Means to Me.”

High school students compete in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition, for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C. The deadline is Nov. 1. Competition begins at the local VFW Post, then advances to district, and then to the state level. State winners receive a four-day trip to Washington to compete with other state finalists. First place is $30,000. Students must write and record a three-to-five minute essay on the theme, “Why I’m Optimistic about our Country’s Future,” on an audio cassette tape or audio CD and present their recording, typed essay and entry form at the VFW Post in North Windham by Nov. 1.

Interested students and teachers should contact their local VFW by phone at 892-6582.