By Tim Leeds
The local VFW Post #497 and Auxiliary are accepting applications for the Voice of Democracy scholarship contest, which will result in $139,500 national scholarship awards, with the $25,000 T. C. Selman Memorial Scholarship awarded to the national winner.
The contest is open to all students in ninth- through 12th-grade. Students write and then record an original essay between three- and five-minutes in length, which must be submitted to the local VFW post by Nov. 1 to be considered.
The theme for this year's contest is "What Price Freedom?"
Students are judged on the local level, and winners advance to the district level. The number of winners advancing to district depends on the number of entries. If 25 or fewer students apply, only one advances to district. If between 26 and 50 apply, two advance, and if 51 to 75, three advance. Up to eight go if more than 376 students apply.
Winning district competitors will then advance to the state competition, and the state winners will advance to the national competition. The national competition will be completed by Jan. 20, 2001. All state winners get a $1,000 scholarship and a four-day tour of Washington, D.C.
The Voice of Democracy is just the most current of the scholarship contests held by the VFW. The Youth Essay Contest, held for seventh- and eighth-graders, is due at the local level on Dec. 1, entries in the Creative Patriotic Art contest are due by Dec. 15, and entries for the Outstanding Young Volunteer contest, for ages 12-15, are due by January of 2001.
or more information about the Voice of Democracy and other VFW scholarships, call 265-6876 or 265-4550.
