Livingston High School

Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regard to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th-grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

 

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. 

 

Applications are available on the VFW website at vfw.org/VOD.

 

This year's theme: "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"

 

Students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 (home study included) are invited to submit essays by the Oct. 31 deadline. Entrants must record an original three-to-five-minute essay on a flash drive on this year’s theme.  Students can send their application and flash drive should be mailed to:

 

Livingston VFW Post 2856

95 West Mount Pleasant Avenue

Livingston, NJ 07039

ATTN 2023 VOD

For more information, students can contact John Powers at jlpowers2707@gmail.com  NOTE: The body of the essay must not identify the student in any way, (including, but not limited to their name, school, city, state, race, or national origin) although the recording & typed essay should be labeled with your name, to show ownership.

Applications received at the post AFTER the 31st will not be eligible.