Each year, more than 50,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2.3 million in educational scholarships awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition. Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast script on an annual patriotic theme.
The VFW established the Voice of Democracy program in 1947 to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regards to democratic ideas and principles.The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
This years theme "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vison"
WHO CAN ENTER:
The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 (on the October 31 deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.
Other national scholarships range from $500 and up plus the first place winner from each (State) VFW Department wins an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Students should record their reading of the draft to an audio CD or flash drive. The recording can be no shorter than 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes (plus or minus 5 seconds).
Entries begin at the Post level. Once the student creates their essay and completes burning the audio version to an audio CD/flash drive, they can submit their typed version, CD/flash drive and voice of Democracy entry form to their local participating VFW Post by the October 31 deadline.