2010-2011 Theme
"Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?"
Entry Deadline
Nov. 1, 2010
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What is the Voice Of Democracy Program?
Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW's) premiere 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.
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 March to tour the city, meet our nation's leaders, be honored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary and receive their portion on $146,000 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 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) essay on a standard cassette tape or CD on this year's theme. Label your cassette or CD and neatly typed essay with your name and complete the 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 in 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 VFW Post provided they have not competed at a school/class competition. VFW Post winners compete at the VFW District level. 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.
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. 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.
VOD Prepares you for life.
For Stephanie D'Abruzzo Shemin, one-time Department of Pennsylvania winner, VOD was a milestone in her life.
"What VOD did was prepare me for college and the real world. I saw how I could find my place in this world outside the plastic bubble that is suburban public high school," Shemin said. "Little did I know, while I was writing about America's freedom and independence that it was the beginning of a new chapter in my life - one of personal freedom and independence."
Shemin graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in speech. She is currently a Muppet performer with the Jim Henson Company, working for such chows as Sesame Street.
Meet people and build confidence.
VOD enables you to meet your peers from all walks of life. Furthermore, it can have a tremendous impact on your future.
"The whole Voice of Democracy program was an experience that is still with me," said Gary Belkin, a national VOD winner. "I'm now 36, a psychiatrist and ethicist at Harvard and Brown Medical schools where I teach, and also am finishing a doctorate in history at Harvard."
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has again approved this contest for its National Advisory List of Contests and Activities.