A Mountain Home High School sophomore and a Flippin Middle School eighth grader have earned top local honors in two of the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ longest-running youth essay competitions.The VFW Ozark Post 3246 named Mountain Home’s Draven Cowart its 2025 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Cowart’s winning audio essay, written and recorded on this year’s theme, “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country,” will advance to Arkansas VFW District 2 competition, with hopes of moving on to state and national levels.The Voice of Democracy contest draws about 40,000 participants each year and awards more than $2.1 million in scholarships. State winners compete for a share of $174,000 in national scholarships, including the top prize of a $35,000 college scholarship. Department-level winners also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Founding Forward Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program in Valley Forge, Pa.
The Ozark Post also announced that Flippin Middle School’s Lily Markovich has been selected as its first place winner in the 2025-26 Patriot’s Pen competition. Markovich, an eighth grader, wrote her winning 300-400 word essay on the same national theme and will also advance to District 2 judging.
The Patriot’s Pen program, launched in 1995, encourages students in grades 6-8 to explore American history and express what democracy means to them. Nearly $1 million in awards and prizes are distributed nationally each year.
Both Cowart and Markovich will be honored locally as they move forward in their respective competitions.
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