Veterans Day Essay Contest
Virginia War Memorial’s 2024 Veterans Day Essay Contest
PROMPT:
Write about a Virginian who Served in the United States Military whose Story Inspires You
The Virginia War Memorial (VWM) in Richmond is calling on students for entries to the Virginia War Memorial’s 2024 Veterans Day Essay Contest.
This annual competition is open to all Virginia middle and high school age public, private, and homeschooled students. One winner will be selected from among all middle school entries (grades 6-8) and one from high school entries (grades 9-12).
The essay topic for the 2024 contest is “A Virginian who served in the United States military who inspires you.”
Students may consider a member of their family, of their community, or a famous man or woman from Virginia who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from WWI to the present as their subject. Submissions should be 500-750 words in length, incorporate at least one primary source, and include an APA or MLA style bibliography.
The two students who write the winning essays will each receive a prize package.
The student winners will also be invited to read their essays during the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at the Memorial on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The deadline for entries to be submitted electronically is midnight, Sunday, October 20, 2024.
SUBJECTS:
– Veterans in your family, community members, or others whose stories resonate with you.
– Consider what lessons may be learned by their example.
– Focus on their time in service, though you may also address their time as a civilian or veteran.
RESOURCES:
– Speak with the veteran, or people who knew them.
– Utilize primary resources, newspaper records, personal stories, military records, letters, books, and the internet.
– Virginia War Memorial Archives (Contact Archivist Sylvia Marshall to view archival material and oral histories that may help you to create an essay: Sylvia.Marshall@dvs.virginia.gov)
FINALISTS:
– Entries will be judged on clarity, grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and adherence to the contest theme and guidelines.
– Sources must be properly cited in a bibliography (APA or MLA style).
QUESTIONS?
– Contact VWM’s Education Outreach & Programs Manager: elizabeth.oglesby@dvs.virginia.gov
Essay Contest Rules & Guidelines:
1. This contest is open to all Virginia Middle and High School public, private, or homeschooled students. A winning entry will be chosen from each age group (grades 6-8 and 9-12).
2. Submissions must be between 500-750 words and use at least one primary source. Students must properly cite their sources in a bibliography (APA or MLA style) and include the bibliography with their submission.
3. Entries will be judged on clarity of thought, adherence to the contest theme and guidelines, and proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
4. Entries are due Sunday, October 20, by 11:59 p.m. Entries received after this time will not be considered.
5. Entries should be submitted HERE
6. First place winners (in the grades 6-8 and 9-12 categories) will receive a prize package. Winners will also be invited to read their winning essays aloud at the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2024.
7. By submitting an entry, the student agrees that the work is original and unassisted. The Virginia War Memorial Foundation holds the right to publish any submissions to this contest on its website and in other print materials (with credit to the author).
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS OF THE 2023 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest
McDonald’s Marketing Representative Christina Dick alongside the 2023 Essay Contest Winners, Mia Ramos and David Contreras
The Winners of the 2023 “Student Leadership in America” Essay Contest are:
Middle School Winner: David Contreras, “Mr. Graham Nelms”
8th Grade, Contreras Home School in Henrico County (Teacher: Rachel Contreras)
Read DAVID’s winning essay here
High School Winner: Mia Ramos, “An Unsung Hero”
11th Grade, W. T. Woodson High School in Fairfax County (Teacher: Ashley Kipperman)
Both winners received a gift package, presented by McDonald’s Owner-Operators of Richmond and Hampton Roads, Virginia.
2023 Runner up:
High School: Alice Shin, Veterans Day Essay
10th Grade, Battlefield High School in Prince William County (Teacher: Daniel Vasenko)
