Voice of Democracy

The Voice of Democracy is an audio essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The annual contest, which is designed to foster patriotism, allows students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
Created in 1947, the scholarship program annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships.

Printable Entry Form

Local Posts judge the entries and forwards the winners to the District level. The respective VFW District provides an award and entry into the Idaho State competition for the top audio essay from the District. The winner and his/her parents, representatives from the winning Post are provided with an invitation to the Idaho State Veterans of Foreign Wars Mid-Winter Conference and Honors Banquet held in January in Boise, Idaho.

The Idaho State Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars selects the top entries and the first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete against the 53 other VFW Departmet Winners. Each is awarded a minimum $1,000 scholarship. The top entry will receive a $30,000 scholarship.
All questions concerning the Voice of Democracy program should be submitted to local VFW Posts by contacting the VFW Post Commander or the Ladies' Auxillary.

How to Enter:
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay and recording to the local VFW Post. Information may also be available at your local High School.

Besides competing for the top scholarship prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Target. The VOD program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
Target Stores has become a Corporate Sponsor for this Program as of this year and it is with their assistance and support that the program will increase these Scholarship Awards. When shopping at a Target Store, we ask that you find a member of management and tell them that we appreciate their support!

Rules:

Who can enter?
The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or in an overseas U.S. military/civilian dependent school. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over and previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners are ineligible.

What do I need to enter?
Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds) essay on a standard cassette tape or CD on this year’s theme. Label your cassette or CD and neatly typed essay with your name and complete the entry form. Provide these three items to your local VFW Post for judging. All recordings must be in your own voice (hearing or speech impaired students should contact the Voice of Democracy National Office at (816) 968-1117 for special instructions), without music, special effects or background sounds. Songs and poetry are not acceptable. You may not provide anything in the essay or recording that will identify you in any way. You may enter only one Voice of Democracy competition per year.

Where do I submit my entry?
To advance to the next level, all entries must be judged at the VFW Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the local VFW Post competition. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the local VFW Post provided they have not competed at a school/class competition. VFW Post winners compete at the VFW District level.
District winners compete at the VFW Department (state) level.
Department winners receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the VFW National level.

All winners must begin at the Post level. To identify a participating VFW Post in your area, contact the State Voice of Democracy Chairman
.Dusty Rhodes
1710 E. Hastings
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

What is the deadline for my entry?
All entries competing at the Post level must be in the hands of that VFW Post by midnight, Nov. 1. It is the responsibility of the student to meet this deadline by submitting their entry to the proper location.

WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
Originality is worth 30 points:
Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest.
Content is worth 35 points:
Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another.
Delivery is worth 35 points:
Speak in a clear and credible manner.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has again approved this contest for its National Advisory List of Contests and Activities.

Printable Entry Form