We are proud to present the top 12 National winners of the 2024–2025 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 $37,000 in national scholarships was awarded to students in 2025.

Learn more about the contest and view all the previous first-place national winners.

First Place

$15,000 Scholarship
Department of New York
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 9249
Patriotic Paws
Jolie Mondoux, 12th Grade

Second Place

$7,500 Scholarship
Department of Missouri
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 2210
Remorseful Soldier
Mallory Rottler, 12th Grade

Third Place

$3,500 Scholarship
Department of Minnesota
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 210
Leaving a Legacy
Levi Coyour, 12th Grade

Fourth Place

$1,500 Scholarship
Department of North Carolina
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 7383
The Weight of Duty
Catherine Park, 10th Grade

Fifth Place

$1,500 Scholarship
Department of South Carolina
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 10980
A Soldier’s Last Promise
Olivia Cole, 10th Grade

Sixth Place

$1,000 Scholarship
Department of Idaho
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 9036
When I Grow Up…
Hazel Black, 12th Grade

Seventh Place

$1,000 Scholarship
Department of Florida
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 7721
Christopher Epperson
March of Patriotism, 12th Grade

Eighth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Michigan
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 9885
The Importance of Sacrifice
Katelyn Morton, 12th Grade

Ninth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of West Virginia
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 3466
96th Negro Infantry
Khalia Reid, 11th Grade

Tenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of New Mexico
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 4384
The Pain From Those Who Fought For Us
Jazmin Lopez, 12th Grade

Eleventh Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of New Jersey
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 2290
A Soldier’s Goodbye, A Mother’s Prayer
Avni Deshpande, 11th Grade

Twelfth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Ohio
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 2792
War Photo Shoot
Lydia Fuchs, 11th Grade

Thirteenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Utah-Guam
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 1509
The Six Triple Eight Major Charity Adams
Minchan Kwon, 9th Grade

Fourteenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Oklahoma
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 1335
Awaited Embrace
Emily Eilers, 11th Grade

Fifteenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Mississippi
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 3806
Weld for the Win
Lauryn Surrette, 11th Grade

Sixteenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Colorado
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 4061
For Home and Country
Brooke Hiltz, 12th Grade

Seventeenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Alabama
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 5658
Liberty: Freedom and Remembrance
Hayleigh Hamilton, 11th Grade

Eighteenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of Louisiana
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 7017
The Eternal Tribute
Cadence Wolfe, 12th Grade

Nineteenth Place

$500 Scholarship
Department of North Dakota
Sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 753
The Hidden Beauties of America
Abby Godejohn, 12th Grade