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Voice of
Democracy Competition
Download all forms at bottom of this page
2016-2017
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
"My Responsibility
to America"...
WHY SHOULD I ENTER?
Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post,
District, state and national level. Department
(State) winners receive an all-expense paid trip to
Washington, D.C., Feb. 25 - March 1, 2017, to tour
the city, be honored by the VFW and its VFW
Auxiliary and receive their portion of $153,000 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 by the Nov. 1 deadline, who are enrolled in a
public, private or parochial high school or home
study program in the United States, its territories
and possessions. Although U.S. citizenship is not
required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent
residents or have applied for permanent residence
(the application for which has not been denied) and
intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest
opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange
students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of
Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult
Education Students are ineligible
What do you need to enter?
Record your
original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) essay on
an audio CD or a flash drive. One student per CD or
flash drive. When burning your CD, make sure that
“Create Audio CD” option (or similar) is selected so
the program can properly convert your sound file and
burn it to CD. After it has finished, be sure to
play back your audio CD on a system other than your
computer, such as a standard radio or car CD player,
to verify that the conversion/burning process was
successful. You will submit the recording, typed
essay and this completed entry form. Provide these
items to your school/group competition or local 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 kharmer@vfw.org for special instructions. No
music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed.
The body of the essay must not identify you in any
way, (including, but not limited to your name,
school, city, state, race, or national origin)
although the recording & typed essay should be
labeled with your name, to show ownership. You may
enter only one competition at one Post (if otherwise
eligible) per year. At any time during the contest,
additional participant personal information could be
requested by the VFW, including but not limited to a
photograph, SSN, or biographical information.
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What is the deadline for your entry?
All entries competing at
the Post level must be in the hands of that VFW Post
by midnight, Nov. 1, 2016. It is the responsibility
of the student to meet this deadline by submitting
their entry to the proper location by ensuring it is
a participating Post.
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.
Please send application to our Post /
Auxiliary for submissions
VFW Auxiliary 12024
P.O. Box 8341
The Woodlands, TX 77387-8341
Voice of Democracy 2016-2017 Entry Form
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