The NH VFW Announces the Winner of the 24-25 Patriots Pen Scholarship

VFW Announces New Hampshire Patriots Pen Scholarship Winner
Pembroke, NH. (January 18, 2025) – Nathan Sewade a 8 grade student at Epsom Central
School in Epsom, NH., was named the VFW Department of New Hampshire’s first- place
winner and recipient of the $1000 Patriots Pen Scholarship award in the 2024- 2025 Patriots Pen
Scholarship program. Awarded at the Pembroke Pines Country Club in Pembroke, NH. The
VFW Post #1631Concord VFW and its Auxiliary in Concord, NH., sponsored Nathan Sewade.
The Patriots Pen competition provides middle school students with the opportunity to speak
out on freedom and democracy,” says VFW Department Commander AJ Corrow. “The
program has been popular and successful since its beginning in 1947, and we’re proud to
keep offering it to America’s young people.”
The Patriot’s Pen is an essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history,
along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word

essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-
Chief. This year’s theme is “My Voice in America’s Democracy”.

Over 750 New Hampshire students participated in the competition this year. As one of 53
finalists worldwide, (Student Name) will compete at the national level for the first-place prize of
a $5,000 college scholarship.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Patriots Pen Scholarship program
in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole
responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students grades
6-8 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles.
Around 68,800 students participate in the competition each year and VFW awards more than
$1million in scholarships every year.

-VFW-
About the VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and oldest major war veterans’ organization.

Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members
from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in over 6,000 Posts
worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than
the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more
information or to join, visit our website at vfw.org.
Contact: Budy Nicholas
Department of NH VFW Auxiliary Historian
2024-2025
603-662-2320
nnicholas1299@gmail.com