VFW Announces Kick-Off of Annual $35,000 Scholarship Competition

 

[September 25, 2024] 

Commander Bill Stauffer of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Cronin Brothers Post 1756 announces the kick-off of this year’s VFW’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition. Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Students must write and record a three-to-five-minute essay on the selected theme using an audio recording or flash drive and present their recording, typed essay and completed entry form to their local VFW Post by October 31. The 2023-2024 theme selected is “Is American Today Our Forefather' Vision?" Students begin by competing at the local Post level, then Post winners compete at the District level with the winner advancing to the state competition.

All state first-place winners receive a four-day trip to Washington, D.C. and the chance to compete for their share of more than $150,000 in scholarships. The first-place winner receives a $35,000 college scholarship.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. Around 40,000 students participate in the competition each year and VFW awards more than $2 million in scholarships every year.

Interested students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairman at VFW Post
1756 by phone at 217-480-0057 or email [e-mail] for more information.

[YNC Michelle K. Ramlow
Il VFW Deputy Chief of Staff
District 10 Jr. Vice Commander,
VFW Post 1756 Sr. Vice Commander]