Junior, senior high students can win Voice of Democracy scholarships

RBC — Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Besides competing for the top scholarship prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000-$16,000, each Department’s first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Target.
The VOD program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ contest criteria and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three- to five-minute essay based on the theme “Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth by … “. Entry deadline is Nov. 1.
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at (816) 968-1117. Mail entry form and audio essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.
For more information or questions, contact VFW National Headquarters or VFW State Headquarters if you can’t find a local VFW Post.
There’s also an opportunity for junior high students.
Patriot’s Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ contest criteria, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades six, seven and eight the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest.
This year’s theme is “Why America’s Veterans Should be Honored,” and the deadline is Nov. 1.
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 national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000-$10,000.
For more information contact VFW National Headquarters or your local VFW Post.
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. If you can’t find a local VFW Post contact VFW State Headquarters.
For information, contact Tom Kilduff, Meeker VFW Post 5843 commander, at 878-4426 or [email protected].