Spanish Translation of VOD Program
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 57,000 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. This year’s theme is, "What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
CRITERIA: 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. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are not eligible for entry.
HOW TO SUBMIT: Students will submit their Voice of Democracy entries utilizing the Scholar’s App Scholarship Platform, an electronic scholarship entry and tracking platform. Each Post will have their own flyer with a QR code for the Voice of Democracy scholarship program. Students will use the QR code to open the program and complete the recording, typed essay and the completed entry form. Once completed the student will upload it to their local Post for Judging.
Once the essay is uploaded students can track the progress of their essays and if necessary, make changes or corrections.
The student must be the sole author of their essay. Inappropriate use of Chat GPT 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 the student in any way, (including, but not limited to name, school, city, state, race, or national origin).
In the event a student cannot use Scholar’s App they may submit their entry form, essay, and recorded essay via email or hard copy with the essay on a thumb drive to their local Post for judging. Please ensure the recording and typed essay is labeled with the students name. Posts must enter the essay into Scholar’s App for judging and advancement.
If submitting to a school/group competition for judging, submit the hard copy as outlined above.
DEADLINES: The
following deadlines shall be adhered to:
ALL-AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS POST:
Posts must advance one candidate to District for judging via Scholar’s App and make a report at the VFW.org.
ALL-AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS DISTRICT:
Districts must advance one candidate to the Department for judging via Scholar’s App, make a report at VFW.org.
ALL-STATE REQUIREMENTS POST:
Posts must advance one candidate to District for judging via Scholar’s App, make a report at the VFWCA website, and ensure the District Chairperson has the Post’s participation information.
ALL-STATE REQUIREMENTS DISTRICT:
Districts must advance one candidate to the Department for judging via Scholar’s App and make a report at the VFWCA website.
AWARDS: Monetary awards at the Post and District level are subject to the approval of the Post or District membership. As for Department, the following is the monetary awards:
Each first place Department (state) winner is brought to
the founding Forward Spirit of America Leadership trip to Valley Forge, PA to compete
for $171,000 in National College Scholarships— first place receiving $35,000.
Each state winner will receive at least $1,000 at the national level.
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CHAIRMEN:
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Steve Milano
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Address:
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9136 Elk Grove Blvd
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Elk Grove, CA 95624
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Phone:
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916-716-3798
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Email:
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smilanovfw4647@gmail.com
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CO-CHAIRMEN:
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JonPaul Bockman
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Address:
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9500 Calle Milano
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Atascadero, CA 93422
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Phone:
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805-458-1125
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Email:
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jpmb1172@gmail.com
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CO-CHAIRMEN:
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Chris Darbyshire
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Address:
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2830 Mills Drive, Apt 110
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Rancho Cordova, CA 95741
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Phone:
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916-857-6306
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Email:
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cmd@vfw10125.org
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CO-CHAIRMEN:
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Ryan Gondek
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Address:
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1330 Buckwheat Trail
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Campo, CA 91906
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Phone:
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702-468-0821
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Email:
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vfwpatriotryan@gmail.com
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