The Veterans Of Foreign Wars is again holding the Voice Of Democracy competition for 2013-14.

This patriotic audio essay competition 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 older and previous Voice Of Democracy first place state winners are ineligible.

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., March 1-5, 2014 to tour the city, meet our nation’s leaders, be honored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary and receive their portion of $152,000 in national awards, the top scholarship being $30,000. This year’s theme is, “Why I’m optimistic about our nation’s future.”

Those wishing to participate can get a form from high school students’ services or from the local VFW Post.

You can also visit www.vfw.org and download a form. Those at the local post will have to fill out their information on the form. For more information, call Johnny or Gerry Taylor at 828-894-8673 or call the VFW Post 10349 in Mill Spring at 828-894-5098 and leave a message.

– article submitted by Johnny Taylor