Submission deadline Nov. 1
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has offered scholarships through the Voice of Democracy program since 1947.
Each year, more than 50,000 high school students compete for more than $2.3 million in scholarships and incentives.  Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast strip on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is “Is Our Constitution Still Relevant?”
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. on March 2-6, 2013. They will tour the city, meet the nation’s leaders, be honored by the VFW and its ladies auxiliary and receive their portion of $150,000 in national awards, the top scholarship being $30,000.
The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades nine through 12 who are enrolled in public, private or parochial high school or home study programs in the United States, its territories or processions, 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.
To enter, contact VFW Post 10349 Mill Spring Quartermaster Johnny Taylor or Gerry Taylor, chairman, at 828-894-8673 to request an application. Record your original three to five minute essay on a standard cassette tape or audio CD (one student per CD or cassette). The printed essay needs to be sent in with the CD.
The deadline for judging is Nov. 1. All essays along with CD or cassette must be received at the post by Nov. 1 in order to be judged.
For more information, call 828-894-8673.
– article submitted by Johnny Taylor