VFW hosts Voice of Democracy Awards Night

The VFW believes strongly in good citizenship and fostering patriotism. That’s why we encourage youthful minds to examine our nation’s history and their own experiences in modern American society through our Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests.
PATRIOT’S PEN
The VFW enacted the Patriot’s Pen youth essay competition in 1995 as a way to encourage young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society while improving their writing skills. More than 68,800 students participated last year to compete for more than $1.4 million in award money.
For students in grades 6th – 8th
Essay of 300 – 400 words
Judged at the Post, first place is forwarded to District. First at District gets sent on to State. State winner’s entries are sent to National to compete for more $46,000 in award money. The Grand Prize is $5,000 and an all expense paid trip to Washington DC for the winner and one escort.
At the local level we have entries from the El Dorado Spring Christian School, Roscoe School and the El Dorado Springs Public School. Each school is judged separately.
This year we had a total of 49 entries.
The topic is chosen by the National VFW Commander. This year’s theme was: “My Pledge to Our Veterans”
3rd Place – $50 (Post) & $10 (Auxilliary), Medal & certificate
2nd Place – $75 (Post) & $25 (Auxilliary), medal & certificate
1st Place – $100 (Post) & $50 (Auxilliary), medal & certificate
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY
The National Association of Broadcasters started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950’s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students in grades 9 – 12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. Around 25,000 students participate in the competition each year and the VFW awards more than $2.1 million in scholarships every year.
Essay, record a 3 – 5 minute presentation.
Judged at the Post, first place is forwarded to District. First at District gets sent on to State. The winner and their family go to the state competition, this year in St. Louis. State winner’s entries are sent to National to compete for more $2 million in award money and the state winner receives an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC for that competition. The Grand Prize is a $35,000 scholarship.
This year we had a total of 21 entries from the Christian School and the Public School, which are judged separately.
The topic is chosen by the National VFW Commander. This year’s theme was: “Why is the Veteran Important”
3rd Place – $50 (Post) & $10 (Auxilliary), Medal & certificate
2nd Place – $75 (Post) & $25 (Auxilliary), medal & certificate
1st Place – $100 (Post) & $50 (Auxilliary), medal & certificate
Public: Jude Wyant – 2 years in a row
A. Placed first at District, 2 years in a row, last year placing 3rd in state.
B. Jude and his family attended the state banquet end of January.
C. Was awarded first place at the state competition.
1. Total state – 1,081
D. Earned a trip to Washington DC to compete for the $35,000 scholarship and left on March 4th.
He represented very well.
E. Will have the opportunity to go to Valley Forge, PA this summer to attend a week-long leadership conference.
F. Read essay
G. Proclamation from the State of Missouri
H. Video of Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe
Parents and teachers, these kids are a direct reflection of you. We want to thank you for doing a great job. If these students are an example of what our future leadership is going to be, we can be confident that we are in good hands.
Next year’s themes are:
Patriot’s Pen: “How Are You Inspired by America?”
Voice of Democracy: “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?”

PATRIOT PEN WINNERS – theme – My Pledge to Veterans (from left) ECS 2st place – Ethan Dodson, 3rd place -Cassie Johnson; Roscoe – 1st place – Mason McGaughy, 2nd place – Ashley Espera, 3rd place Jaden Lippa; R-II – 1st place – Aleta Lyness, 2nd place – Grace Seitz, 3rd place – Hailey Thomas.

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY WINNERS – theme – Why Is The Veteran Important (from left) EHS – 1st place – Jude Wyant, 2nd place- Lela Brown, 3rd place – Jennie Seitz; ECS – 1st place – Jason Conduff, 2nd place – tie Cannon Ash and Sophia Bryson, 3rd place – Avery Keith.