Patriot's Pen, a youth essay writing contest, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Last year, more than 85,000 students participated in the annual contest.

Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top 20 national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.