YOUNG AMERICAN CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART |
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Americanism Program - VFW Coloring Competition
The Brainerd VFW Auxiliary sponsors this contest each year. It is for grade schoolers living within 50 miles of Brainerd, MN. All students are invited and encouraged to participate.
Check back in about January 2026 for the 2026-2027 contest rules and application forms.
Check back in about January 2026 for the 2026-2027 contest rules and application forms.
The 2025-2026 Brainerd, MN, competition winners:
Grades K-2:
1st place Star spangled 4th of July - Piper Warwas, Harrison Grade 1
2nd place Eagle head frowning on flag - Dale Stapleton, Harrison Grade 2
3rd place Eagle flying over trees - Janie Stephens, Lakes Region Grade 2
Grades 3-5:
1st place Soldier kneeling with flag Alexa Preisinger, Lakes Region Christian Academy Grade 4
2nd place Soldier & tank– Gus Emerson, Stare Grade 5
3rd place Earth on black August McGillis, Harrison Grade 3
Grades 6-8:
1st place Ballerina and flag by Isabella Olson, Stare Academy Grade 7
2nd place Earth sun & moon Jordan Lough, Stare Grade 8
3rd place Flag & Cross Emma Bocsen, Stare Academy, Grade 8
1st place Star spangled 4th of July - Piper Warwas, Harrison Grade 1
2nd place Eagle head frowning on flag - Dale Stapleton, Harrison Grade 2
3rd place Eagle flying over trees - Janie Stephens, Lakes Region Grade 2
Grades 3-5:
1st place Soldier kneeling with flag Alexa Preisinger, Lakes Region Christian Academy Grade 4
2nd place Soldier & tank– Gus Emerson, Stare Grade 5
3rd place Earth on black August McGillis, Harrison Grade 3
Grades 6-8:
1st place Ballerina and flag by Isabella Olson, Stare Academy Grade 7
2nd place Earth sun & moon Jordan Lough, Stare Grade 8
3rd place Flag & Cross Emma Bocsen, Stare Academy, Grade 8
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June 7, 2024: |
BRAINERD — Every year the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsors two contests for grades K-8. Information about the contests is given to the elementary schools in the Brainerd/Baxter area and they share it with their students. This year’s drawing/coloring contest was titled “Illustrating America.” The vocal contest, in which the student needed to submit a video recording of themselves singing the national anthem, was entitled “Let’s Hear it for the Red, White & Blue.”
“Republicans and Democrats must agree that our children are the most important asset this country has,” the VFW announced in a news release. “Today’s children are inundated with unhealthy messages through modern media. But one thing that can and should be taught to them at a young age is Patriotism, and our schools play an important role in getting that message across.”
On May 13 and May 24, each winner was honored at a special presentation and given a monetary award and certificate.
“The Brainerd VFW Auxiliary is proud to announce the winners of those two contests and wants to thank all the parents and teachers who encouraged their students to submit drawings and recordings in support of patriotism,” the news release stated.
“Republicans and Democrats must agree that our children are the most important asset this country has,” the VFW announced in a news release. “Today’s children are inundated with unhealthy messages through modern media. But one thing that can and should be taught to them at a young age is Patriotism, and our schools play an important role in getting that message across.”
On May 13 and May 24, each winner was honored at a special presentation and given a monetary award and certificate.
“The Brainerd VFW Auxiliary is proud to announce the winners of those two contests and wants to thank all the parents and teachers who encouraged their students to submit drawings and recordings in support of patriotism,” the news release stated.
May 24, 2024: An award ceremony was held at the Stare Acadamy Heritage Church in Brainerd for winners who were unable to attend on May 14th.
Sue Sterling, Illustrating America Art Contest Coordinator.
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Malachi Faas, 3rd place.
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Gus Emmerson, 2nd place.
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Alijah Larson, 1st place.
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(l-r) Sue Sterling, Alijah Larson, Gus Emerson and Malachi Faas.
May 14, 2024: The 2023 - 2024 Illustrating America contest winners were recognized at the Brainerd VFW.
(l-r) Emily Beierman, Elton Erickson, Avah Lueck, Elijah Laporte, Emma Hubbling, Alana Otterson and Wyatt Peterson.
2024 Minnestoa Sixth District Awards:
Emma Hubbling – First place- Grade 2 Harrison School
Eiton Erickson – Second Place – Grade 3 Harrison School
Alijah Larson – Second place - Grade 6 Stare Academy (Heritage Church school)
Avah Lueck – First Place – Grade 4 – Harrison School singing contest “Get excited for the red, white and blue.”
Emma Hubbling – First place- Grade 2 Harrison School
Eiton Erickson – Second Place – Grade 3 Harrison School
Alijah Larson – Second place - Grade 6 Stare Academy (Heritage Church school)
Avah Lueck – First Place – Grade 4 – Harrison School singing contest “Get excited for the red, white and blue.”
Avah Lueck
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The group photo includes Avah Lueck, who was the winner of the singing contest. |
Winners from grades K-2:
Emma Hubbling, 1st place grade 2 and 1st place at district.
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Elijah Laporte 2nd place grade 2
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Wyatt Peterson, 3rd place grade 1
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Alana Otterson, honorable mention, grade 1
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Grades 3 through 5:
Elton Erickson, first place and 2nd at district.
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Emily Beierman, honorable mention.
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More photos from the evening:
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Entries from K - 2
Entries from grades 3 - 5.
Harrison School teachers and students. (l-r) Guy Kelm, Elijah Laporte, Eiton Erickson, Avah Lueck, Emma Hubbling, Sarah Armstrong and Becky Meyer
It was a full house at the Brainerd VFW that night as the winners brought their parents.
May 9, 2023: The 2022-2023 theme was "Illustrating America." Winners fell into several age groups and not all could be present for the award ceremony because of school commitments that night. Congratulations to all of the winners.
Abagale Toews, 3rd Place
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Alexa Preisinger, 2nd Place
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Emma Kempe, 1st Place
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Jack Mulder, 3rd Place
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Carter Linder, 1st Place
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Benton Stevens, Honorable Mention
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The winner group
January 10, 2023: The theme is "My American Hero."
The award ceremony was held to a full-house audience at the Brainerd VFW.
The award ceremony was held to a full-house audience at the Brainerd VFW.
January 10, 2023, for grades K - 1
1st place, Grayson Treb, 1st grade
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2nd place, Maxine Hahn, 1st grade
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3rd place, Keira Fry, 1st grade
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January 10, 2023, for Grades 2 - 3
1st place, Carlee Berg, 3rd grade
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2nd place, Gus Emerson, 3rd grade
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3rd place, Isaac Larson, 3rd grade
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Logan Erickson
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Kindergarten through second grade students colored a flag. Winners in April 2021 at the Brainerd VFW were:
1 - Kinsley Malchow (1st grade at Lowell School) 2 - Ella Klinger (1st grade at Garfield School) 3 - Logan Erickson (2nd grade at Garfield School) 4 - Nora Wonders (1st grade at Lowell School) |
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What Patriotism Means to Me was the theme of the 2021 Brainerd VFW Auxiliary Patriotic Poster Contest. Grade 3 - 4 winners were:
1 - Macy Baloga (4th grade at Garfield School) 2 - Brooke Wymore (3rd grade at Lowell School) 3 - Kennedy Famoso (4th grade at Baxter School) 
First place in grades 3 - 4
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Macy Baloga
Kennedy Famoso
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The VFW Coloring Contest is sponsored by the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary.
