Voice of Democracy: 

The topic is "What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy."  

Patriotic Audio Essay Competition 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. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme.

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 DC,  Winners will receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards:

The top scholarship being $35,000.

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. 

The deadline is Oct. 31, 2023.

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. Provide these items to  VFW Post 7539 for judging. 

Read the rules and eligibility requirements then download the application.

Student entries must be submitted to:

VFW Post 7539 101 Fairfield Way

Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108-1537  by midnight, Oct. 31. 

Only students in the Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539 area may apply.

Patriot Pen: 

The next topic is "How are you inspired by America".  

The Patriot Pen competition is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students  the Deadline is Oct. 31, 2023. The VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.  More than 73,000 students participated in this contest last year. 

Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500.

The first-place national award is currently $5,000.

Download and complete the Patriot's Pen entry form. All essays should be typed and 300 - 400 words in length.

Read the rules and eligibility requirements then download the application

Student entries must be submitted to:

VFW Post 7539 101 Fairfield Way

Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108-1537  by midnight, Oct. 31.