2008-2009 Voice of Democracy first place winner, Natale Szabo, accepts a $30,000 scholarship, presented by VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner and Ladies Auxiliary President, Dixie Hild.
Voice of Democracy
2009-2010 Theme "Does America Still Have Heroes?" Entry Deadline Nov. 1, 2009
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 6-10, 2010, 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 (click on the link in the gray bar on the right), 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.
*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.
