top of page

2022-2023 Americanism Essay Contest For Grades 7–12 

"What The United States Flag Stands For"

The essay contest's grand national prize is $5,000 with additional prizes of $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place in grades seven through twelve. Each winner will receive an attractive plaque citing his or her achievement. Every entrant judged at the national level receives a certificate of recognition. Additional prizes may be awarded to students winning at local branch and regional levels of competition. Annual competition ends December 1st. Local contact for Mt. Rainier Branch 104 is 253-208-6991.

FRA AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST RULES 

• All entrants shall be students in grades seven through twelve (or equivalent). 

 • Entrants must be sponsored by a branch of the Fleet Reserve Association or a unit of the Ladies Auxiliary, or by an FRA Member-at-Large. • The essay shall be on the theme designated and shall not exceed 350 words. 

 • The essay shall be legibly written or typed on one side and one page only. 

 • The title of the essay shall be written or typed at the top of the paper. 

 • A student may submit only one entry each year. 

 • Each entry must be accompanied by a separate sheet stating: the entrant’s name; address; zip code; telephone number; school grade (or equivalent); name of school or the words “home schooled;” number of words in essay; and the sponsoring branch/unit or sponsor’s name. 

 • Entries submitted to branches shall be submitted to the Branch Americanism-Patriotism Committee and postmarked not later than December 1, for judging at the branch level. 

 • Entries sponsored by membership at large members shall be submitted to the national chairman and forwarded to an appropriate branch for judging in their respective grade group. All entries shall be postmarked not later than December 1. 

 • The Internal Revenue Service requires that any participant who receives $600 or more will be issued a Form 1099 identifying the proceeds as taxable. Winners must provide their social security numbers to the FRA upon request. 

For the contest cover sheet cut and paste this http address:

For additional details cut and paste this http address:  

The FRA Education Foundation makes scholarships available to eligible* full-time students who are U.S. Citizens attending accredited colleges and universities in the United States.

*Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel and their families

are eligible for FRA Education Foundation scholarships. 

Application Process

FRA Education Foundation makes scholarship applications available (see bottom of the page) from 1 September thru 15 April each year for the following school year. Scholarship deadline: APPLICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS POSTMARKED LATER THAN 15 APRIL will not be considered. All applicants are considered for any scholarship the FRA is able to offer during a specific year, provided the applicant meets the eligibility requirement for the award (based on the desires of the donor). Scholarship recipients are notified in writing and by telephone. FRA only notifies the applicants who have been selected to receive a scholarship.

Have questions about FRA Education Foundation scholarships? E-mail Marilyn Smith at scholars@fra.org and have your questions answered.

The Colonel Hazel Elizabeth Benn Scholarship - The FRA Education Foundation offers a special scholarship for unmarried, dependent children of past and present enlisted Navy medical personnel who have served with the Marine Corps. The Benn Scholarship was established by Benn’s estate to honor the memory of one of the first active-duty female Marines selected for the permanent rank of colonel. Benn led the Educational Services Branch of the Marine Corps and worked tirelessly to increase the potential for Marine Corps personnel to pursue college degrees. The Benn Scholarship is available to qualified applicants entering their freshman or sophomore year of college and the deadline to apply for this scholarship is April 15th.

Other scholarship programs related to FRA are:

The Walter E. Beall Scholarship

FRA's Past Regional Presidents administer a scholarship for students who aspire to further their education in aeronautical engineering or pursue aviation-oriented degrees. These scholarships are derived from the estate of Past Regional President Southeast Walter Beall. Applications for the Walter E. Beall Scholarships are available by writing to: Walter E. Beall Scholarship, 4911 Fennell Court, Suffolk, VA 23435, Attn: W. R. Holcombe. Requests can also be submitted via e-mail to prp.inc2@verizon.net. Applications for the Beall Scholarship must be sent to the above address and be postmarked no later than 15 April. Visit www.walterbeallscholarship.org

The LA FRA Scholarships

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association (LA FRA) also sponsors an annual scholarship program. The application is posted at the bottom of this page in pdf file. Applicants who wish to be considered for both FRA and LA FRA awards must submit separate application packages.

For Related Applications Download the Following Files:

bottom of page