Commander James Doty of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 447 announced the kick-off of this year’s VFW and VFW Auxiliary “Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition.” High school students in this area have the opportunity to compete in the annual audio essay competition and win thousands of dollars in scholarships, a trip to Washington, D.C., as well as dozens of other awards.

Students begin by competing at the local Post level. Deadline entries at the Post is Nov. 1. Post winners advance to District. District winners compete in the state competition. The state winner will enjoy a four-day tour of Washington, D.C. along with the winners from every state, the District of Columbia, the Pacific Areas, Latin America/Caribbean and Europe.

During the more than 60 years that the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary have been involved with Voice of Democracy, more than 7 million high school students have participated. Students compete by writing and then recording three-to-five minute audio/essay expressing their views of this year’s patriotic theme Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth By… All state winners receive at least a $1,000 national scholarship but any one of them could win the $30,000 first place award. A total of $146,000 in national scholarships is awarded to national finalists in addition to the scholarships and awards given at the preliminary levels of competition.

Interested students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairman at VFW Post 447 by phone at Marilyn Danielsen at 373-0518 or 373-2473.

The local first-place prize is $150 savings bond, other local prizes will be awarded.