Voice of Democracy - Patriots Pen - State Essay
Kristina Stambaugh
Kristina.M.Stambaugh@gmail.com
- Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Competition
- Patriots Pen Contest
- Department of Washington State Essay Contest
- Fact Sheet for Contests
- General Orders 4
VFW 2010-2011 NATIONAL VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AUDIO-ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsors the Voice of Democracy audio-essay scholarship competition. The program just finished its 64th year and requires high school student entrants to write and record a three to five minute essay on an announced patriotic theme. “Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?” was the theme for 2010-2011. All national scholarships totaled $151,000.
1st place Voice of Democracy (VOD) winner, Kelsey Woo, receives her check.
Kelsey Woo, a senior at Harvard-Westlake School has been named the first place winner in the 2011 National Voice of Democracy Program. Her speech won her the $30,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship Award provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She plans to apply her scholarship toward a degree in journalism, writing, music, classics,and possibly teaching. Kelsey was sponsored by VFW Post 10694 and Ladies Auxiliary in Santa Ana, Calif.
Sarah Olive-McStay, a junior at Tumwater High School has been named the second place winner and recipient of the $16,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship Award provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Sarah plans a career in journalism and creative writing and she was sponsored by VFW Post 7089 in Tumwater, Washington.
Logan Beyer, a sophomore at Arendell Parrott Academy has been named the third place winner and recipient of the $10,000 VFW Scholarship Award provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Logan plans a career in either the special needs medical field or alternate energy resources and she was sponsored by VFW Post 2771 and Ladies Auxiliary in Kinston, North Carolina.
Read Kelsey Woo's award winning essay
Hear the essays of all State winners
The Patriot's Pen program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to express their opinions on democracy based on an annual theme, this year’s being, “When is the Right Time to Honor Our Military Heroes?” The first place winner, Abigail Barnard, sponsored by Post 7385 out of Mesquite, Nevada, received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C., where she received a $10,000 savings bond and trophy during a special luncheon. The 2nd place winner, Nora Faris, sponsored by Post 5649 out of Concordia, Missouri, will receive an $8,000 savings bond and glass plaque. The 3rd place winner, Ariela Rivkin sponsored by Post 1429 out of Teaneck, New Jersey, will receive a $7,000 savings bond and glass plaque. Wood plaques will be sent to all of the sponsoring Post’s Department headquarters for presentation during their respective Department Convention or other appropriate ceremony. A total of 109,465 students participated in this year’s competition.
Read Abigail Barnard’s award winning essay
VOD-PP-State Essay Year End Report - Must be received by April 1, 2011
VOD-PP-State Essay Contact Form