Voice of Democracy Program
VFW Lilac Post 5815 and its Auxiliary invite all high school students in Lombard, including home-schooled students, to participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition.
The theme for 2024-2025 is "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?" All entries must be received by the post by midnight, October 31, 2024.
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 57,000 students in grades 9-12 from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Want to apply? Students in the Lombard, Illinois, area should download the form 2024-2025 Voice of Democracy Eligibility, Rules and Entry Form, and read and follow the rules on the form. The judging criteria are also explained on this form.
Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or - 5 seconds max.) audio essay on a flash drive, or other electronic device. You will submit the recording, typed essay and the completed entry form. Provide these items to your school/group competition or VFW Post for judging. In addition you can submit your emailed entry form, essay, and audio file to the VFW Post upon approval. You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. The body of the essay and the recording must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin) although the recording and typed essay should be labeled with your name, to show ownership.
Send the recording, typed essay, and the completed entry form to the VFW Lilac Post 5815, Voice of Democracy Chairperson, PO Box 1912, Lombard, IL 60148-8912, so that it is received by midnight, October 31, 2024.
Students elsewhere can download this form and use the website at https://www.vfw.org/find-a-post to find a sponsoring VFW Post in their area.
All student entries must be received by a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31, 2024.
This page last updated August 5, 2024.
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