VFW Announces Kick-Off of Annual
$30,000 Scholarship Competition
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[September 12, 2020]
Commander Laurie Emmer of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the U.S. 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 October 31. The 2020 theme selected
is “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned.” 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 $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.
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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 $2.1 million in educational scholarships every year.
Interested students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairman
at their local VFW Post or contact VFW State Headquarters by phone at
217-529-6688 or email the VFW Department of Illinois at vfwil@vfwil.org for more
information.
FOR DETAILS VISIT: www.vfw.org/VOD.
[Laurie Emmer
Commander, Department of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars] |