Students at Edmund W. Miles Middle School are encouraged to put their voices and ideas on paper for this year’s VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Competition.

Board of Education Trustee Juan Leon recently joined local veterans in visiting the school to help promote the annual contest and recognize past Amityville students who have participated and earned honors. Their visit served as a reminder that our students’ voices matter and that thoughtful writing can be a powerful way to reflect on citizenship, service and the lessons passed down by those who have served our country.

The Patriot’s Pen competition is open to students in grades 6-8. This year’s theme is “What A Veteran Taught Me About America.” Essays must be 300-400 words, and entries are due to a sponsoring VFW Post by Oct. 31, 2026. 

Students can advance through local, district, state and national levels, with scholarship awards available along the way. The national first-place award is $5,000. 

We hope our Edmund W. Miles students will take on the challenge, share their perspectives and continue Amityville’s tradition of strong participation in this meaningful competition