VFW in Lansing announces annual Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition
Commander Dan Hanson of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the U.S. Post Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 announces 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.
Prizes and scholarships are awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. All State first-place winners receive a four-day trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top scholarship being $35,000.
Students must record a three-to-five minute audio essay on a flash drive and submit the recording, typed essay and completed entry form to their local VFW Post by October 31 of this year. The 2023 theme selected is “What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?”
Interested students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairman at VFW Post #5981 by email at vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com for an entry form and more information.
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. The competition was created to provide students in 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.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally-chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.6 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in 6,200 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “No one does more for Veterans” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit the program’s website at www.VFW.org.
