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Voice of Democracy

Public Speaking

The scholarship program called Voice of Democracy was started in 1947 by the National Association of Broadcasters.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars became a national sponsor for the program in the late 1950’s. It became a VFW Program in 1961.

This scholarship program provides high school students, from 9th grade to 12th grade, the opportunity to write and record a broadcast script on a patriotic theme selected by VFW each year.  Competition begins at the Post level.  A winner goes to the District level to compete with students selected by other posts.  Those winners advance to the State level and on to the National level.  State winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.  Top National scholarship prize is $30,000.

The Voice of Democracy theme for 2013-2014 is to answer “WHY I’M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OUR NATION’S FUTURE”.  This is an audio-essay competition.  Students will be required to record their statement and submit their entry to Tualatin Post 3452 by November 1, 2013.

Application:  2013-14 VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Local Winners(s) earns $150, and at higher levels of competition, opportunity for scholarships up to $25,000 and free trip to Washington, DC.

Past Winners

2009-10 Winners – Jane Whitmore – Junior of Tigard High School and Ashley Thiesen – Senior of Tualatin High School

Tigard High Junior Jane Whitmore won the local competition for $150 and defeated 15 other finalists in the Oregon VFW VOD contest in Hood River in February.  She won a $2,000 scholarship for college and an opportunity to compete nationally for scholarships worth up to $30,000.  She won an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., March 6 – 10, and a trip to Valley Forge in June.

Jane Whitmore, Ron Holland, Ashley Thiesen
2009-2010 Winners: Jane Whitmore, Ron Holland, Ashley Thiesen