The Voice of Democracy is a prestigious annual audio-essay competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It is designed to give high school students (grades 9–12) across the United States a platform to express their thoughts on patriotic themes while developing their public speaking and writing skills.
Each year, students write and record a 3–5 minute audio essay on an assigned topic. The competition offers over $2 million in scholarships and awards, with the national first-place winner receiving a $35,000 college scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C.
🎙
Open to students in grades 9 through 12.
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Students must be enrolled in a public, private, parochial high school, or homeschool.
Write Your Essay:
Prepare a well-structured essay addressing the annual theme.
Record Your Essay:
Record a clear and expressive audio version of your essay (3 to 5 minutes long).
Download and Complete the Entry Form:
Go to https://www.vfw.org/VoiceOfDemocracy to download the official entry form.
Submit Your Materials by October 31, 2024:
Typed essay
Audio recording (on USB, CD, or other accepted formats)
Signed entry form
Submit all items to your local VFW Post. Use the site’s "Find a Post” tool to locate one near you.
National First Place: $35,000 scholarship
Other National Awards: Scholarships range from $1,000 to $21,000
State & Local Prizes: Additional scholarships, awards, and recognition
Share your voice on important issues.
Win scholarship money for college.
Honor our nation’s veterans through civic engagement.