We are proud to present the top 12 Department (state) winners of the 2021-2022 VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The annual contest began in 1979 and recognizes up-and-coming artists and encourages patriotism in youth. More than 2,500 students submitted entries and a total of $33,000 in national scholarships was awarded to 12 students in 2022. Learn more about the contest and view all the previous first-place national winners.
First Place
$15,000 Scholarship
We are Grateful
Medium: Oil Paint
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 3699 | Indio, Calif
Second Place
$7,500 Scholarship
Department of New York
American Hope
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 1619 | Olean, New York
Saela A. Wardlow
12th Grade | Yucaipa High School
Jessica Daley
10th Grade | Portville Central School
Third Place
$3,500 Scholarship
Department of Minnesota
Untitled
Medium not included entry
Fourth Place
$1,500 Scholarship
Department of New Hampshire
Honoring Eagles
Medium: Colored Pencil
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 3968 | Winchester, New Hampshire
Fifth Place
$1,500 Scholarship
Department of Oklahoma
Welcome Home
Medium: Colored Pencil
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 577 | Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sixth Place
$1,000 Scholarship
Department of Wyoming
Coming Together
Media: Graphite, Colored Pencils
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 7756 | Gillette, Wyoming
Joshua Wedde
9th Grade | Zumbrota-Mazeppa Middle/High School
Sarah Gile
10th Grade | Keene High School
Abraham Garcia
12th Grade | Thomas A. Edison Preparatory School
Lily Echols
12th Grade | Thunder Basin High School
Seventh Place
$500 Scholarship
Department of South Carolina
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Medium: White and Black Charcoal
Eight Place
$500 Scholarship
Department of Washington
I Remain Yours, With Love – Rudy
Media: Water Color, Graphite, Colored Paper Collage
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 318 | Olympia, Washington
Ninth Place
$500 Scholarship
Department of Oregon
Untitled
Medium: Pencil
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 3970 | Sutherlin, Oregon
Tenth Place
$500 Scholarship
Department of Maryland
In Your Honor
Media: Graphite
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 304 | Annapolis, Maryland
Savanna Grace Floyd
11th Grade | Gilbert High School
Maya Chermack
12th Grade | Olympia High School
Elijah Moreno
12th Grade | Woolley Center
Artist: Sydney Hudson
12th Grade | Rockbridge Academy
Eleventh Place
$500 Scholarship
Department of Virginia
They Shall Not Die in Vain
Media: Colored Pencil, Acrylic, Gel Pen
Twelfth Place
$500 Scholarship
Department of Indiana
Untitled
Medium: Polymer Clay
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 261 | Lawrence, Indiana
Gabriella A. Hoover
12th Grade | Dominion High School
Sheila Hernandez
11th Grade | Lawrence Central High School