Local Students Win Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

The Harvey F. Eckhoff VFW Post 7674 Auxiliary announced four local students as winners of the 2024 Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest on May 20.

Hosted each year since 1979 by the VFW Auxiliary, the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest is opened to students in grade 9-12 to recognize young artists in grades 9-12. The scholarship contest recognizes up-and-coming artists and encourages their patriotism.

• First Place (High School)—Camryn Lux, Niceville High School, junior (($150)
• First Place (Middle School)—Blake Pritchard, Pryor Middle School, 6^th grade ($100)
• Second Place (Middle School)—Brooklyn Patching, Holly Navarre Middle School, 8^th grade ($75)
• Third Place (Middle School)—Morgan Knox, Holly Navarre Middle School, 7^th grade ($50)

Submitted entries were judged on the originality of concept, presentation, and expression of patriotism. The winners will now advance to compete at the state level and, if successful, at the national level. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $37,000 towards scholarships. Those monies will be paid directly to the American college, vocational, technical, or trade school of the winners’ choice.

Betty Riker, VFW Post 7674 Auxiliary President, presented each student’s award along with a check and said, “This is such a a good platform for school kids of all ages to express their patriotism thru their art. Betty Riker.”

The Harvey F. Eckhoff VFW Post 7674 Auxiliary supports projects that benefit veterans, active-duty service members and their families as well encouraging and fostering patriotism in the local community. Members are relatives of those who served in a location of foreign conflict. They know the angst of enduring extended periods of separation from their deployed military spouse and having to pack up their lives and move, ofttimes at short notice. Despite the challenges, they still invest time in their community. Supporting the 2024 Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest is another one of their outreach endeavors.

Harvey F. Eckhoff VFW Post 7674 is located at 213 Carol Ave NW in Fort Walton Beach. They may be reached via email or by calling 850-244-3834.