PHILADELPHIA – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) officially announced the national winners of its 2025-2026 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen scholarship competitions during a ceremony held in Philadelphia on April 25, 2026. The organization awarded over $176,000 in national scholarships, contributing to a total of more than $1.6 million distributed across all local and national competition levels.
Students from across the country participated in the prestigious competitions, crafting essays around the theme, “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” All department winners received at least $1,000 scholarships, recognizing their thoughtful contributions.
In the Voice of Democracy competition, the top honor was awarded to Drewniak from Morse High School in Bath, Maine, sponsored by VFW Post 7738, for an unspecified national top prize. Kylie Saltzman of Lower Cape May Regional High School in New Jersey secured second place, earning the $21,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial scholarship. Abigail Smith, a homeschool student from Bloomington, Indiana, placed third, receiving a $15,000 scholarship.
The Patriot’s Pen competition saw Andrew Ge, sponsored by VFW Post 75 in Danville, California, claim first place with a $5,000 scholarship. Michael Sieniawski, representing VFW Post 1337 in Mount Prospect, Illinois, was awarded second place and a $4,000 scholarship. Brandon Darnell, sponsored by VFW Post 5738 in Clare, Michigan, took third place, receiving $3,500.
The annual scholarship programs highlight the VFW's enduring commitment to encouraging young people to engage with and express their understanding of patriotism and support for the United States, fostering a new generation of civic-minded leaders.