RICHMOND, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Virginia War Memorial in Richmond is seeking entries for its Virginia War Memorial 2025 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest. The annual competition is open to all Virginia middle and high school age public, private, and homeschooled students. One winner will be selected from among all middle school entries (grades 6-8) and one from high school entries (grades 9-12).

The essay topic for the 2025 competition is “A Virginian Who Served in The Military who Inspires Me.” Students may consider a member of their family, of their community, or any Virginian who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, anywhere in the world, from World War II to present day as their subject.

New this year, the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)-Department of Virginia will award each of the two students who write the winning essay a prize of $500.00. The student winners will also be invited to Richmond and participate in the Commonwealth’s 69th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

Essays should be 500-750 words in length and utilize interviews and primary sources whenever possible. Students may contact Sylvia Marshall, Virginia War Memorial Archivist (Sylvia.Marshall@dvs.virginia.gov) for additional resources regarding Virginia military veterans. Entries will be judged on clarity of thought, adherence to the contest theme and guidelines, proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Detailed information regarding rules, guidelines and how to enter are available online.

All entries must be submitted through the Virginia War Memorial website by 11:59 p.m., Monday, October 13, 2025. For additional information or questions, contact Elizabeth Oglesby, the Memorial’s Education Outreach & Programs Manager, at Elizabeth.Oglesby@dvs.virginia.gov or by calling 804-786-9700.