Voice of Democracy
Kelsey Woo, a senior at Harvard-Westlake School was named the 2011 Voice of Democracy 1st-place winner.
Her speech on the theme "Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?" won her a $30,000 college scholarship which she plans to apply toward a degree in journalism, writing, music, classics, and possibly teaching. Kelsey was sponsored by VFW Post 10694 and Ladies Auxiliary in Santa Ana, Calif.
YOU TOO CAN WIN $30,000!
The 2011-2012 theme was: "Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?" The deadline to enter was November 1, 2011.2011-2012 winners will be announced in March during the 2012 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
WHO CAN ENTER:
The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.
Please note: Current high school seniors (graduating
in 2012) are not eligible for the 2012-2013 contest.
HOW TO ENTER:
Click here for the 2012-2013 Voice of Democracy entry form.
The deadline to enter the 2012-2013 program is November 1, 2012. The theme for 2012-2013 is: “Is Our Constitution Still Relevant?”
Students should record their reading of the draft to a CD. 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 a CD, they can submit their typed version, CD and the Voice of Democracy entry form to their local participating VFW Post by the November 1 deadline.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Originality is worth 30 points: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest
Content is worth 35 points: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the other.
Delivery is worth 35 points: Speak in a clear and credible manner.