Gila Valley VFW Auxiliary Announces Patriotic Art Scholarship Contest winners

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This annual Patriotic Art contest encourages students’ artistic abilities and patriotism through art projects.  These encompass all students’ grades K- 12.  Winners are awarded either scholarships or monetary awards for their hard work.

VFW Auxiliary 10385 is excited to announce the winners of the 2026  VFW Auxiliary’s Patriotic Art contest.  The Winners were celebrated at an Awards banquet for family and teachers.  Winners were announced by VFW Auxiliary President Sheila Pompeo and presented by Sr. VP Shannon Szady.

Young  American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. 2-D Art.  

1^st  place  – Aleena Garcia.  2^nd place Olivia Schaffner.  Both winners attend Mt. Graham High School.

Illustrating America contest winners from elementary and middle schools, K-8 were:

Grades K-2  

1^st Amilliano Ogas

2^nd Keondre Henry Jr. 

3^rd Sophia Bonilla 

 4^th Vanessa Quintero.

Grades 3-5 

1^st Journie Rogers

2^nd Atalia Nieves

2^nd Aurora Bonilla

3^rd Sophia Donaghe

Grades 6-8

1^st Michael Hinojos

2^nd Arrianna Rojo

3^rd Georgia Johnson

Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to District competition (optional), with District winners advancing to the state competition in June.  State first-place winners compete for their share of $33,000 in national awards, and the national first- place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship. National first- through twelfth-place winners are featured in VFW Auxiliary Magazine and on the VFW Auxiliary website. All state winning entries are judged at National Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, in July and will be displayed at the VFW Auxiliary National Convention scheduled to take place July 16 – 21, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The VFW Auxiliary started the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. Approximately 4,000 students participate each year, and in addition to $33,000 in national scholarships, local and state VFW Auxiliaries throughout the nation award more than $150,000 in Patriotic Art scholarships every year.