The Voice of Democracy is an
annual national audio essay contest that is designed to foster patriotism
by giving high school students in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to
voice their opinion about their personal obligations as an American and
address their responsibility to our country. Created in 1947, the
scholarship program annually provides more than $3 million in
scholarships. Contestants write and record a three to five minute essay on
an annual theme.
Each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to
Washington, D.C., plus the opportunity to compete for national
scholarships. The first-place national winner receives a $30,000
scholarship. All national scholarships are paid directly to the American
university, college or vocational/technical school as selected by the
recipient.
All scholarship funding is held at National Headquarters in escrow for 10
years from high school graduation. The funds, which are disbursed as
needed, may be used for tuition, books, laboratory fees or other items
relating specifically to the student's formal education. Clothing, room
and board and pocket money are not considered authorized expenditures.
The 2009-2010 theme is " DOES AMERICA STILL HAVE HEROES? " Deadline for
entries will be Nov. 1, 2009.
All questions concerning the Voice of Democracy program should be
submitted to
Ron Slowik at
rojslowik@cox.net
at this Enid VFW Post.
