Ridgewood September 14, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Commander Stanley A. Kober of the Washington Elm Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus-Ridgewood), has announced the launch of this year’s National VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition for high school students; the Patriot’s Pen Essay Competition for students in grades six through eight; the National Citizenship Education Teacher Award contest for teachers of kindergarten through grade five, grades six through eight, and grades nine through 12; and the National Public Law Enforcement, Firefighter, and Emergency Medical Technician Citation and Gold Medal Award program. The deadline for entries in each of these competitions is Nov. 1, 2011. VOD contestants will have the opportunity to compete in the annual audio essay competition and win thousands of dollars in scholarships, a trip to Washington, D.C., and dozens of other awards. This program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Students begin by competing at the local Post level. Post awardees advance to the district level, and district awardees compete in the state competition. The state awardee will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in March of 2012, along with the awardees from every state, the District of Columbia, the Pacific Areas, Latin America/Caribbean, and Europe. Students compete by writing and then recording in their own words a three-to-five minute audio/essay expressing their views on this year’s patriotic theme: Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military? All state awardees receive at least a $1,000 national scholarship, but any one of them could win the $30,000 first place scholarship award. A total of $151,000 in national scholarships is awarded to national finalists in addition to the scholarships and awards given at the pre- VFW hosts contests for students, educators, responders liminary levels of competition. Interested high school students and teachers from HoHo-Kus and Ridgewood should contact the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (201) 445-1121 or immediately write to the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus-Ridgewood) at 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 for an application. Patriot’s Pen participants have the opportunity to compete in the VFW’s annual essay competition and win thousands of dollars in U.S. Savings Bonds and a trip to be honored at the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Community Service Conference. This program is also endorsed by the NASSP. As with the VOD competition, post awardees advance to the district level. District awardees compete in the state competition. The state awardee competes with 45 other top national awardees to receive at least $1,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds with the first place awardee receiving a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. with a parent or guardian. Students are invited to write in their own words a 300-400 word essay on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme is: Are You Proud of Your Country? Interested students from Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood should contact the Washington Elm VFW Post 192. (See the relevant information above.) Those who participate in the National Citizenship Education Teacher Award contest will be divided into three grade-level categories. One winner will be selected at each grade level. Winners will have the opportunity to compete in the VFW’s annual teacher recognition competition to win $1,000 cash, a plaque, and an all expenses paid trip to Washington, DC, to be honored at the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Community Service Conference. In addition, $1,000 cash and a plaque will be awarded to the teacher’s school. VFW’s Citizenship Education program stimulates interest in America’s history, traditions, institutions, civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism. All current classroom teachers (who teach at least half the school day in a classroom environment) in grades K-12 are eligible. Previous state and national VFW winners are ineligible. Nominations may be submitted by fellow teachers, supervisors, or other interested individuals (not relatives). Self-nominees are not eligible. Post awardees advance to the district-level and district winners advance to the state-level. Interested people from Ho-Ho-Kus or Ridgewood who want to nominate teachers who care deeply about America and our children, must contact the Washington Elm VFW Post 192. (See contact information listed above.) National Public Law Enforcement, Firefighter, and Emergency Medical Technician Citation and Gold Medal Award program will provide recognition to one individual in each category. Post-level winners will advance to the district level, and potentially to the state level. The first, second, and third place State VFW awardees will be recognized at the VFW Department Convention in Wildwood in June 2012. The first place awardee at the state level will be forwarded to the National VFW for consideration as a Gold Medal Award recipient. Previous state and national VFW winners are ineligible. Nominations may be submitted by colleagues, supervisors, or other interested individuals from the public at large. Interested people from Ho-Ho-Kus, Ridgewood, Saddle River, or Upper Saddle River who want to recognize an individual for his/her continued contribution to law enforcement, fire, or EMS organization should contact Robert Re, Chairman, LEO, Firefighter, & EMT Program, the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus--Ridgewood) by telephone at (201) 445-7377 or immediately write to the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus--Ridgewood) Attention: Robert Re, Chairman, LEO, Firefighter, & EMT Program, at 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 for an application that has the specific requirements. Personnel to be recommended in organizations outside of the communities mentioned above should contact their local VFW Post.