VFW Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest
WHAT IS THE VOICE OF
DEMOCRACY PROGRAM? - Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of
Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year,
more than 100,000 high school students compete for more than
$2.5 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by
writing and recording a broadcast script on an annual patriotic
theme. This year’s theme is: "Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?"
Download your entry form here...
WHY SHOULD I ENTER? -
Prizes and scholarships are awarded at the local, district, state and
national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense
paid trip to Washington, D.C. in April to tour the city, meet our
nation’s leaders, be honored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary
and receive their portion of $148,000 in national awards, the top
scholarship being $30,000.
THE 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 maximum) essay
on a standard cassette tape or CD (record in .wav format) on this
year’s theme. Label your cassette or CD and neatly typed essay with
your name and complete the attached entry form. Provide these
three items to your school/group competition or 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 within 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.
Download your entry form here...
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,
call the Voice of Democracy National Office at (816) 968-1117 or
e-mail us at kharmer@vfw.org or visit our Web site at www.vfw.org.
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, 2011. 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.
GOOD LUCK - Broomfield VFW Post 9565 and Auxiliary Officers and Members
Know of a veteran or family of an active duty service member who is in need? Contact us via email at: info@vfw9565.org, or call us at (303) 460-9557.
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