Theme “Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?”
Entry Deadline: November 1, 2010.
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 to $16,000, each Department’s first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., March 5-9, 2011, sponsored by Target.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010. The Voice of Democracy program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
How to Enter: Students can enter by submitting the required entry form http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=150 along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post.
To find a post in your area, 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. Note: Current 2010 high school seniors are ineligible.
For more information or questions, contact VFW National Headquarters or VFW State Headquarters if you can’t find a local VFW Post. *Historically, the theme (annually chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief) is purposely kept broad in scope to allow the participant flexibility in interpretation to encourage originality. Since the VFW is a patriotic organization, the annual theme always will be related to patriotism.
Link: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=150