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Voice of Democracy
Scholarship

NEWS RELEASE

A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
COULD WIN A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

AND A $25,000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

The Commander of VFW District Seven announced the start of this year's Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary "Voice of Democracy Scholarship Contest." Students nationwide have the opportunity to compete in the annual audio essay contest and win valuable scholarships and awards. According to the local VFW Post Commander, the students achieve much more when they participate in "Voice of Democracy".

Additional benefits for students include; increased self-confidence and poise, experience in polishing communication skills, and the opportunity for self-expression. Students that advance to become their state's first place winner are given the opportunity to expand their knowledge of our nation's capital city during a full four-day tour of Washington, D.C., plus the chance to meet and befriend students from every state.

During the many years that the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary have been involved with Voice of Democracy, more than 7 million high school students have participated. Interested students need only

write and then record a three to five minute audio/essay

while expressing their view of the patriotic theme (changes yearly).

The 2004-2005 theme is

"Celebrating Our Veterans' Service"

Deadline for entries is November 1, 2004.

Local contestants win hundreds of dollars for placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Post and District competitions. All state winners receive at least a $1,000 National Scholarship but could win the $25,000 first place award. A total of $141,000 in National Scholarships will be awarded to students this year. The deadline date for student entry is November 1.

"Young people who participate in the contest benefit by gaining a better understanding of their country, their freedoms and their obligation to America."

Rules and guidelines:

Or visit the national website at http://www.vfw.org/yourtown/you_VoiceOf.htm

Local Students (San Fernando Valley, CA) may contact our District chairman for an entry package. VOD@vfw7ca.org

Read last year's national winning entry http://www.vfw.org/yourtown/nyscript.htm

Download information:

Student participation information (MS Word file)
Student entry form-- (MS Word file)

Flyer for School use-- (MS Word file)

Student participation information and entry form-- from VFW National (PDF file)
        (Requires the Acrobat plug in)    

History of the Voice of Democracy Scholarship VOD History http://vfw11508.brinkster.net/VODHistory.html