Naperville VFW seeks Voice of Democracy entries

Naperville-area high school students will have a chance to win a $30,000 scholarship along with a trip to Washington, D.C., in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition sponsored by Naperville Judd Kendall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3873.

The contest is open to students in grades nine through 12, including those who are home-schooled, Cmdr. Bob Bronson said.

Students participate by writing and then recording a 3- to 5-minute audio essay expressing their views on this year's patriotic theme, "Why Veterans Are Important To Our Nation's History and Future."

The recordings are first judged at the local post level, with the top entries advancing for judging at district, state, and national levels. Monetary awards are presented at each level.

The winner in each state receives a free trip to Washington, D.C., and the winner in the national competition receives a $30,000 scholarship.

Student entries, including the recording, a typed copy of the essay, and a completed application form, are due to the Naperville post by Nov. 1.

For complete information, call the post's Voice of Democracy chairman, Thys Vandervelde, at (708) 927-0317 or visit www.vfw.org/Community/Voice-of-Democracy/.

The competition is sponsored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary throughout the country and has attracted more than 7 million participants in its 65-year history.