Voice of Democracy

2024-2025 Theme “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”

Student Entry Deadline: October 31, 2024

 Grand Prize: $35,000 Award

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.If you are interested in the opportunity to compete for a  $35,000 college scholarship apply for the VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship.

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. The first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000.

What do I need to enter?

Record your original 3-5 minute  audio essay on a flash drive, or other electronic device. Submit the recording, typed essay and a completed entry form.to Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539.   You must be the sole author of your essay. Inappropriate use of ChatGPT or or other AI tools is not allowed. The recording must be in your own voice and in English.

Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@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. 

Download the 2024-2025 entry form  and submit your completed application to:

VFW Post 7539

 Attention Randy Winter

101 Fairfield Way, Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108

The contest is open to all high school students in the
Bloomingdale, Illinois VFW 7539 area.

All applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31. 

All First Place winners at the local level advance to the district level,

The First Place winners advance to state and finally the national level.

Patriot Pen: 

The 2024-25 theme is: 
“My Voice in America's Democracy?”

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay. The VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest is a chance to win a share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards.
Each First Place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

Students must write a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on the patriotic theme.  Before submitting your essay, download the 2024-2025 entry form and submit your entry to:

Applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.