The VFW Post 1142 Ladies Auxiliary has announced the kick-off of the Patriotic Art Contest.  Each year, the Ladies Auxiliary sponsors a contest in which students are invited to do a Patriotic Art Project.  Students in grades 9 - 12 enrolled in public, private, and home schools are eligible to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships.  Art must be done on paper or canvas and must be original work.  Students begin competing at the local level and advance to the district and state levels.  State winners via for more than 20,000 dollars in scholarships.  Local Wilkes students wishing to participate in the contest should contact Maebelle Nance, VFW Auxiliary at 984-4292.