VFW Announces Kick-Off of Annual $30,000 Scholarship Competition

[July 18, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD - State Commander Phil Maughan of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Illinois announced 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 CD or flash drive and present their recording, typed essay and completed entry form to their local VFW Post by November 1. The 2015-16 theme selected is “My Vision For America”. Students begin by competing at the local Post level with an entry deadline of November 1. Post winners compete at the District level with the winner advancing to the state competition. All speeches are judged based on the sound recording submitted.

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 $30,000 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 their Local VFW Post or contact State VFW Headquarters at [e-mail] for more information.

For details visit:  http://www.vfw.org/VOD.

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ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans organization. With nearly 1.9 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,800 Posts worldwide, “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” The VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.