SIDNEY — VFW Auxiliary 4239 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

Local students in grades nine through 12 have the opportunity to compete for $29,500 in national scholarships.

Students must submit an original two- or three-dimensional piece of artwork. Previously, the contest accepted only two-dimensional art for judging. Beginning this year, three-dimensional art will be accepted and judged. Digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted. The entry must have been done during the current 2018-2019 school year and the application must include a teacher’s or supervising adult’s signature.

Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each auxiliary advances to sistrict competition (if applicable) with district winners advancing to the state competition. State contestants compete for their share of $29,500 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship. National first- through eighth-place winners are featured in VFW Auxiliary Magazine and on the VFW Auxiliary website. All state winning entries will be displayed and judged at the VFW Auxiliary National Convention that will take place July 20 to July 24 in Orlando, Florida.

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 3,500 students participate each year, and in addition to $29,500 in national scholarships, local and state VFW auxiliaries throughout the nation award more than $130,000 in Patriotic Art scholarships every year.

Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary 4239 by March 31. Interested students, parents and teachers can get information by emailing marshajones70@yahoocom. To download an application and see the 2018 winners, visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.