VFW to Crown 2026 National Youth Essay Winners Live

- 4/8/2026

VFW to Crown 2026 National Youth Essay Winners Live
Watch live from the historic Union League of Philadelphia on April 11 to see who takes home the top $35,000 prize


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 7, 2026) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is set to conclude its 79th annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions this Saturday, April 11, with its highly-anticipated, annual Parade of Winners ceremony. The event is being hosted in a city that serves as the "birthplace of America” and at a venue deeply rooted in American history and the founding of our nation, the Union League of Philadelphia.

 

Watch live on the VFW’s Facebook page starting at 1:00 p.m. CDT as we honor each VFW Department (state) scholarship winner and announces which of the nation’s top high school students has earned the first place T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship - a life-changing $35,000 award. In total, more than $176,000 in national scholarships will be presented during the ceremony.

 

The move to the Union League of Philadelphia marks a significant milestone for the program. Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the union and the policies of Abraham Lincoln, the League provides a fitting backdrop for students who have spent the year reflecting on this year’s theme: "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

 

The ceremony coincides with the 52 VFW Department (state) winners’ participation in Founding Forward’s Spirit of America Youth Leadership experience at Valley Forge. The trip, awarded to every VFW Department (state) winner, is made possible through the generous support of Twisted X.

 

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About the VFW:The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and most established 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 1.3 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 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.