National Patriotic Art Contest Winners Announced
Washington High School Student Takes First Place
Kansas City, Mo. – July 30, 2021 – Celine Min took first place in the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest, winning a $15,000 college scholarship. The contest, sponsored annually by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary, recognizes up-and-coming artists and encourages patriotism in youth. A total of $31,500 in scholarships was awarded to 10 finalists, all students in grades 9-12.
Min, of Bellevue, Wash. attends Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. She was sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 2995, Bellevue. Her art illustrates her grandmother’s experiences as a nurse during the Vietnam War. “[My grandmother] would tell me about all the hardships she faced while leaving her family as a young woman, but also the pride she felt to serve her country.”
“I wanted to encompass her experiences through this piece, as well as the expression she would have while telling her stories. Her eyes looking into the distance show the way she looked as hundreds of memories flashed by her.
Through my piece, I hope to commemorate my grandmother’s work, as well as other foreign war veterans and those who gave their lives to protect their country. It is meaningful for me to honor the role she played not only in the war but in my life both as a nurse and as my grandmother.”
A total of 45 entries were judged at VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters in Kansas City. The 2021 national winners are: 1st place – Celine Min, Wash.; 2nd place – Miranda Zeien, N.D.; 3rd place – Katelyn Doehrmann, Wisc.; 4th place – Aaron Muth, Ky.; 5th place – Annie Le, Tenn.; 6th Place – Sarah Starkey, Md.; 7th Place – Shreya Balla, Mich.; 8th place – Adebola Adewale, Ga.; 9th Place – Madeline Rose Bowler, Ore.; 10th Place – Jesse Ding, Mass. View the winning pieces online.
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About the VFW Auxiliary: The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations and our members are the relatives of those who have served in a location of foreign conflict. We have nearly 470,000 members representing all 50 states who volunteer millions of hours and give millions of dollars to support veterans, military service personnel and their families.
We are a voice for veterans on Capitol Hill and are instrumental in assisting the VFW pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families. We are one of the top 10 providers of volunteer hours in the VA medical system. Every year, members fundraise millions of dollars for charitable projects that benefit veterans and their families. We also provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for our nation’s youth. With more than 3,600 Auxiliaries, there is likely one in your area working to improve the lives of America’s uncommon heroes. Learn more at www.vfwauxiliary.org.