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Youths Invited to Create Patriotic Art

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: December 3, 2008

RIVERVIEW - Artistic students eager to earn college scholarship money have several months to create patriotic art that could land them thousands.

The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 8108 is looking for students to participate in the Young Patriotic Art Contest, offered to grades nine through 12.

The Young American Creative Patriotic Art Award is one of the many programs available through the auxiliary. "This is a wonderful way to encourage our young people to use their artistic talents to express patriotism, love of country and respect for the American flag," said national chairwoman Patricia Sistrand on the auxiliary's Web site.

"There are now seven scholarships to be awarded on the national level, from $500 to $10,000 for the first-place winner," she said.

"If it gets past the district level and to the national level, that is when they can win the college scholarship money," said local chairwoman Norrine Forrest. "Scholarships are available at varying levels."

Sad as it is, Forrest said, she rarely receives more than a handful of entries. Students are missing out on a huge opportunity for scholarship money, she said. The only requirement for residency is that a student live in Hillsborough County.

Here's how it works:

The art must be on paper or canvas. Water color, pencil, pastels, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen-and-ink or oil can be used. Digital art can be submitted but must be on paper or canvas.

Submit canvas entries on stretched frames. Other entries must be matted in white only.

Anyone choosing to include the American flag in their work must abide by the federal flag code as far as the color and number of stars and stripes and other rules.

All entries must have been completed in the current school year, and a teacher must sign them. Students can submit only one entry.

HOW TO ENTER

For deadlines and to obtain an entry form, contact Norrine Forrest at (813) 677-9559.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

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