Veterans for Peace Announces Last Day For Poetry Contest Applications

Veterans for Peace Chapter 14 Gainesville Fl Press Release:

The final days for area students to participate in a local nonprofit’s poetry contest and college scholarship are fast approaching. Organized by our local chapter of Veterans for Peace, the annual program encourages Alachua County young people to promote social reforms through peaceful means. Last year, nearly 300 poems were submitted, and scholarships totaling $4,500 were awarded. The deadline for K-12 students to submit their original poems is April 8th and the final day to apply for one of three scholarships is April 15th. More info, including eligibility requirements, can be found on their website at https://vfpgainesville.org.

Submit Original Poems to vfppeacepoetrycontest@gmail.com

Submit Scholarship Applications to ortizprof@gmail.com

Winning poems will be published in the 2024 Peace Poetry Contest Book and the young authors will also be invited to read their poems aloud at a public Peace Poetry Reading on May 18th.

At a later date, three of Alachua County’s young adults will each be awarded a $1,500 college scholarship, having demonstrated their intent to pursue nonviolent social justice throughout their careers.

All awardees will also be highlighted at the Winter Solstice Peace Concert, which Veterans for Peace puts on every year in December at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville.

Veterans for Peace members believe in the power of promoting peace at the local level and they strive for an end to injustice, violence, and war internationally.

Scott Camil, VFP Chapter 14’s President, said, “The Peace Poetry Contest is our way of stimulating discussion and critical thinking among our area youth,” and added, “addressing tough subjects early on is the best way to achieve our greater cause of world peace.”