Annual audio-essay competition for US high school students (grades 9–12) on a patriotic theme, with over $2.1 million in total scholarships and a $35,000 national grand prize. Students record a 3–5 minute audio essay on a patriotic theme set by the VFW Commander-in-Chief and submit it with a typed transcript to a local VFW post by October 31. Winners advance through post, district, and state levels before competing nationally. The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid to an American college or vocational school; other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $15,000. Nearly 40,000 students participate annually.