VFW
Announces Kick-Off of Annual $30,000 Scholarship Competition
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[July 24, 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.
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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.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Jul/08/images/ads/current/business_directory_filler.png) 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.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Jul/08/images/ads/current/christian_village_lda_022015.png)
Interested students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairman
at their Local VFW Post or contact State VFW Headquarters at vfwil@vfwil.org for
more information.
For details visit: http://www.vfw.org/VOD.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] 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. |