1. WHAT IS IT?
The Voice of Democracy is a National Audio Essay Scholarship Contest designed to give high school students the opportunity to voice their opinion and address their responsibility to our country. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary hope that every high school in our country will provide the opportunity for its students to take part in this contest. Through classroom study projects and special assignments, students will be motivated, while writing and speaking, to express their opinion about their personal responsibilities and better understanding the rights and responsibilities of being an American. 

2. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 
Students must be in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade and properly enrolled in a public, private, parochial high school or a home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions or enrolled in an overseas school as a dependent of U.S. military or U.S. civilian personnel. (Foreign Exchange students are excluded.) 

3. WHAT ARE THE PRIZES? 
Each state winner is provided with an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus the opportunity to compete for National scholarships totaling over $130,000. The First Place National Winner receives a $20,000 scholarship. 

4. WHO SPONSORS THE PROGRAM? 
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary. 

5. WHAT ARE THE CONTEST DEADLINES? 
The 2004-2005 theme is "Celebrating Our Veterans' Service" Deadline for entries is Nov. 1, 2004. For more information, you can check with your school guidance counselor or at the VFW National web site.

6. HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE? 
The contest is conducted each fall and any interested student should encourage their school to take part. Ask your counselor or a favorite teacher to contact the Post home (845-633-8494) for more information on our local program. Any entry submitted directly to National VFW Headquarters will be returned to the sender. A Post may send one winner from each school into the District Competition. One winner from each District will advance to the Department Competition. One winner from each Department (54) will advance to the National Competition. 

7. AWARDS/OPPORTUNITIES 
Each Department first place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Four fun-filled days of tours, visits to monuments, meeting with heads of state and often the President or Vice President of the United States. The National Judging is held in Washington, D.C. prior to the students' arrival and the winners are announced at a special reception in their honor. 

All National scholarships are paid directly to the American university, American college or vocational technical school as selected by the recipient. Disbursement is made directly to the college/school upon receipt of proper notice from the college certifying that the recipient has been accepted and is enrolled. All scholarship moneys are held in escrow at National Headquarters for ten years and disbursed as needed until the scholarship is totally withdrawn. This time may be extended to cover all years of study as the student deems necessary. The funds may be used for tuition, books, computers, laboratory fees and/or other items relating specifically to the student's formal education. (Clothing, room and board and pocket money are not considered authorized expenditures.)

Please contact your school guidance counselor or the VFW Post home (845-633-8494) for more information.