voice of democracy winning essays

Voice of Democracy: Polson senior pens winning state essay, heads to D.C.

Polson senior Isabel Seeley won the state award for the VFW's annual Voice of Democracy contest. Her winning essay, titled "Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy," earns her a trip to Washington, D.C., in March. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

In an essay that captured first place in the statewide Voice of Democracy contest, Polson High senior Isabel Seeley explores the nation’s foundation, concluding that willingness to participate in our democracy is essential to our future.

“If there is no respect for a country, the country will lose its respect for the people,” she writes. “Therefore, we must embrace and celebrate our democratic culture by participating in debates, voting in elections, and stimulating the economy. With the foundation of dedicated citizens, our country is held strong: united by a common desire to succeed and prosper.”

Seeley, who travels to Washington, D.C., March 2-6 for the national Voice of Democracy contest, says last year’s U.S. History class and this year’s Government class helped her tackle the topic: “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?”

For her, a crucial attribute is the opportunity the Founding Fathers established for citizens to have a voice in government through voting. “Although one vote may feel like a measly penny against the millions of other votes being cast in this country, it holds the power to create laws, elect representatives, and change the nation for the better,” she writes.

She also perceives our divergent views as a strength. “Democratic people have an inherent tendency for civil disagreement, but fortunately, dispute is vital for the growth and sustenance of a country,” she writes.

As an example, she points to a group of her peers from across the state who filed a so-far successful lawsuit on behalf of their right to a clean and healthful environment that’s enshrined in Montana’s constitution.

“This case stood out to me because it exemplifies democracy and shows that anyone, with the right ideas and resources, has the ability to influence the policies that govern our society, no matter their age, race, or religion,” she writes. “Our democracy flourishes because of citizens who are motivated to do what is best to protect the people’s lives and well beings.”

After writing her essay, Seeley recorded herself reading it, and submitted the essay, recording and application to VFW Post 5652 in Ronan.  

Post Commander Dave Oberwegner says the Voice of Democracy program was started by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1947 in the wake of World War II. The VFW also sponsors Patriot’s Pen for middle school students.

“It’s the creativity we have to look at,” he says of judging submissions. “Because every one of them has their own heart that they put into that topic.”

For winning at the state level, Seeley received $2,000, plus $200 for winning at the district level and $150 from the local VFW Auxiliary. The contest offers a $35,000 scholarship to the national winner and other scholarships and incentives ranging from $1,000-$21,000, plus an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state winners.

According to Oberwegner, more than 27,000 students across the U.S. and beyond participated this year, and Seeley is one of 54 students who will participate in the Parade of Winners ceremony, which coincides with the annual VFW Washington Conference.

Seeley, who plans to attend Cornell University next fall, maintains a 4.0 GPA while participating in cross-country, track, band, math club and, in her spare time, ski mountaineering. She’s been named a National Merit Scholarship finalist and was recently invited to apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

While her essay celebrates the attributes of our democracy, Seeley says she has some concerns about its future, and our ability “to listen to each other, which I feel is something we've lost in our democracy today.”

“I think that if people stay true to their morals and their values that we'll be able to find a common ground where people can improve our country and make it better,” she said. “I think that's what we should be focusing on.”

The Parade of Winners will be live-streamed March 4 at vfw.org. To listen to Seeley read her essay, head to https://heroes.vfw.org/page/141993/action/1?locale=en-US (entire address required).

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VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

2024-2025 Theme Coming March 2024

Established in 1947, our  Voice of Democracy  audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of $2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 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-$15,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Want to apply?

VOD Deadlines:

Midnight, October 31, Entries to the Post

  December 13, District Winners due to Department Chairman

Rules and Eligibility Requirements: VOD Rules / Eligibility

Download the 2024-2025 VOD Entry Form here: Coming soon

Voice of Democracy National Awards List

DO NOT mail District entries and required forms to State Headquarters.  Mail them directly to the State Voice of Democracy Chairman!

POST PARTICIPATION REPORTING PACKET

DISTRICT PARTICIPATION REPORTING PACKET (by POST):

DISTRICT VOD / PP WINNER REPORT:

Click Here 

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VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 80,000 high school students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.  The national first place winner receives a $30,000 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-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.   The 2023-24 theme is "What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?".  Want to apply?  Read the rules and eligibility requirement on the Entry Form below.   VOD/PP Chairman's Manual   VOD Entry Form and Requirements VOD District to Department Summary Sheet VOD District to Department Awards Form VOD Post Score Sheet   VOD-PP Donation Flyer

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Voice of Democracy

2023-2024 theme, "what are the greatest attributes of our democracy".

Voice of Democracy Program

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy (VOD) audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards 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 $1.3 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.

Before submitting your essay, read  the rules and eligibility requirements , and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . Download and complete the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy entry form here .

2022-2023 National VFW Voice of Democracy Winner

Scotland Stewart, a sophomore at Franklin County High School in Winchester, Tennessee,, was named the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Scotland’s speech on the theme, “Why is the Veteran Important?” won him a $35,000 college scholarship. Scotland was sponsored by VFW Post 1893 in Estill Springs, Tennessee. Watch as Scotland delivered his speech during the VFW’s Parade of Winners award  ceremony or read it here .

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VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Our  Voice of Democracy  audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards 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 $1.3 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

In Michigan, one student from each of the VFW's 12 districts will compete on the state level, each winning a minimum scholarship of $1,000. The state winner will go on to compete at nationals.  The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.

The Michigan 2024 Voice of Democracy winner was Eddy Holcomb , from Portland High School in VFW District 9 and submitted by VFW Post 4090!  He will also represent Michigan in Washington D.C., where he will compete against winners from all 53 VFW Departments.

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  2023-2024 Voice of Democracy Program

"What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?”

All information pertaining to the theme, judging, eligibility, awards, and other aspects of this program are contained in the Veterans of Foreign Wars program booklet for the Annual Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program.  District Commanders are responsible to ensure that their District Chairman are conducting their programs within these rules and deadlines.  District Commanders are solely responsible for the conduct of the programs within their Districts.  Make sure that copies of this program are distributed to all the Posts within your District in sufficient time to ensure that there is a successful competition.

The Voice of Democracy program is a joint program with the VFW Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Michigan. The Auxiliary does not need the permission of a Post to participate in the program.  Post and District Chairman are expected to include their VFW Auxiliary Counterparts in all activities concerning the conduct of the local and District programs.  Coordination of the District program is the responsibility of the District Commanders and District Chairman.  Post Chairman must refer to their District program for the program requirements and deadlines.

Judging the Contest

The suggested number of judges is five to nine, with a minimum of three.  Judges should be from outside your Posts and Auxiliaries and should represent your community.  Judges must not in any way be connected to the students in the competition.  Set the date for your judging and invite the judges at least 60 days in advance.  Remind them a week before the competition with a letter or email, and two days before with a phone call.

Eligibility

Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Grade students in public, private, parochial, and home schools in the State of Michigan. Former first place winners at the State and National level of competition or any Foreign Exchange students are not eligible.  Students do not have to be relatives of a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars or its VFW Auxiliary to participate.

Recorded Essays must not be less than three minutes and not longer than five minutes.  A five second variation is acceptable to compensate for the possible deviation in equipment.  Essays must be recorded on full size standard flash drive only.  Essays must be recorded without music or background voices. Students must not use their names, the name or location of the sponsoring VFW Post, or the name or location of their school.  Recordings must not include any introduction to the essay.  The only voice on the recording must be that of the students. Special consideration may be given for students that are speech challenged upon written request through the District to the Department Director.   Scripts should be recorded using the best possible equipment available. Post and District Chairman are responsible for the content and quality of the entry.  Every effort should be made to submit the best quality entry possible.  Please note:  Cassette tapes and CDs are no longer accepted by the Department or National.   Make certain your recording has absolutely no background noise whatsoever. 

To receive credit for participation in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition, a Post must sponsor the program in their community.  While it is important to offer the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program in our schools, it is not solely a program for the schools.  You may offer the competition to any ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade student.  All entries must be submitted directly to the Post.  They may be sponsored through local schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church youth groups, Junior ROTC programs, the home schooled, etc.  Posts are encouraged to solicit participants from as many sources as possible.  The Post will hold their own judging and may submit to the District the number of students permitted by the following:

·        1-15 Student Participants:  1 Top Post entry is allowed to advance to District.

·        16-30 Student Participants: 2 Top Post entries are allowed to advance to District.

·        31-45 Student Participants: 3 Top Post entries are allowed to advance to District, etc.

Note:  No Limit

Posts may advance as many winners as they select based on the total number of students participating.  Post judging is the responsibility of the Post Chairman and must be conducted in accordance with the National Judging Criteria.  The Post may forward each first-place winning entry to the District.  Each student entry submitted by a Post to the District must be an equal first place winner. This means that each Post student entry must receive the same award.  For example, a Post has fifty-five student entries and is eligible to send four entries to the District for judging.  Those four entries must each receive an equal first place award from the Post.  If the Post lists them as first, second, third and fourth place, then they can only send in one entry as the first-place winner.  Note: First place Post winner’s entry packets must include a completed Student Biographical Questionnaire, School Release Form and Wallet size photo when sent to the District.  Post packets will not be accepted unless complete.

School/Youth Group Competition Alternatives

We offer teachers/youth leaders the option to use the Voice of Democracy as writing exercise.  The teacher/leader may submit all the entries to the Post for judging or conduct a judging within the group or class and advance a winner for every fifteen participants as shown above.  Note:  The Post Chairman should make this decision working closely with the teacher or group leader.

Each District shall be responsible for the conduct of the program and judging of entries within their District.  District Chairman are expected to promote the expansion of the program by encouraging the participation of additional Posts.  It is not always possible to restrict sponsorship strictly along VFW District Boundaries.  Posts may solicit student participation from any geographical area within the State of Michigan if they do not interfere with the sponsorship of other Posts.  District Chairman are expected to assist Posts in the coordination of sponsorship of all schools in the District.  It is unacceptable that a school is not contacted.  Each District may submit only one entry to the Department for judging. This entry must be certified on the proper National Entry Form by the District Chairman to be the District First place winner of the District Program Judging.  The following items MUST  accompany the District Entry to the Department for Judging:

·        One Student Essay taped in accordance with the above rules.

·        One completed student entry from the National Program Booklet.

·        A quality head and shoulder photograph, wallet size only.

·        One typed copy of the student’s essay.

·        One signed Student Release Form (Link below).

·        One Student Biographical Questionnaire must accompany your District Winner.

It is the responsibility of District Chairman to ensure that all materials are included.  Any entry that does not include all the required above items may not be judged.

To obtain program credit the Post Chairman portion of the Student Entry Form must be completed and submitted to the District with each Post entry.  The form must include the number of students participating from the school and the approximate cost for the program and awards.  Proper credit cannot be given without this information.  District Chairman are required to submit a consolidated report of Post participation within their District using the District Report form and the District Summary Form.  The reports MUST accompany the District Entry to Department.  It is the responsibility of the Post, District, and Department Adjutants to input their Voice of Democracy entries into the All-American Dashboard.  This is to include all monetary values spent on this event.  Failure to do so can cause the Post, District, and/or Department to show a NOT MET in this category.

The deadline for Post sponsored entries is October 31, 2023.   Post judging may not be held before November 1, 2023, and must be completed in time to ensure that winning entries are delivered to the District Chairman by November 16, 2023.    District judging may not be held before November 16, 2023 , and must be completed in time to ensure that the winning entry with all required materials are in the hands of the Department Director by December 16, 2023.   The Department deadline for District entries is December 16, 2023 .  This deadline is absolute, and it includes all paperwork.  Department judging will be closed and will be the responsibility of the Department Committee. Please be advised that the state judging will be attended only by the VFW Department Committee members, VFW State Auxiliary Committee members, and the State Judges.  The Committee has the authority to disqualify from the Department judging any entry which is in violation of the rules as stated in the Department Program and the National Program Booklet.

All Post and District awards are the responsibility of those organizations.  Department awards will be presented at the 2024 Department of Michigan Mid-Winter Conference.  All District winners are expected to be present.  Each District must assume the cost of their winner’s transportation, meals, and lodging.  Department will provide each District winner with one banquet ticket.  Banquet tickets for family members and other guests are the sole responsibility of the District in cooperation with the sponsoring Post.

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VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. 

Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year's theme is,  "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"

  Each year nearly 1,000 students enter this contest in North Carolina through one of our 138 VFW Posts across the state. After the Post level, if your essay was chosen as the Post winner, you will move on to compete with other Post winners from within your District. Each District will then choose 1 winner to represent that District at the Department level. 

  Each District winner will be invited, along with 2 guests, to a banquet that we hold in your honor at our February Council of Administration meeting (Room included) where we will announce the State Winner. 

  Thanks to the  Veterans Foundation of North Carolina , we award a total of $24,000 in scholarships with the winner receiving a $6,000 scholarship ($1,000 of this comes from the Mr. and Mrs. James H Black Voice of Democracy Grant) and every District winner receiving at least a $1,000 scholarship! The winner will also move on to represent the North Carolina VFW at the National level and compete for the $30,000 scholarship grand prize!

Eligibility

Score Sheet

For further information, please contact our Department Chairman, Scott Seddon

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VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

2023-2024 Voice of Democracy (High School Essay Contest)   "What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy" The VFW invites students grades 9-12 to express themselves about democratic ideas and principles. The District winners will attend a banquet for VFW student scholarships in January where the top five essays are recognized and monetary prizes are awarded. The first-place student will present the winning essay and will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to join the other state winners for special activities. As part of this contest program, the VFW holds the Voice of Democracy Teacher of the Year Contest, which gives recognition to a teacher who encourages students to participate in the contest.   2023-2024 VOD Program Click Here 2023-2024 VOD Entry Form Click Here 2023-2024 VOD Perpetual Scholarship Form Click Here Score sheet for judging can be found here .     NOTE : PA has due dates different than those publicized by National VFW!        October 31, 2023-Student deadline Entry is midnight.        November 18, 2023 -Post judging completed.        December 3, 2023    District judging completed.        December 9, 2023   District Winner entry form, flash drive of essay, typed essay, head and shoulder photo of good quality, District summary report and District participation report must be sent to Department Chairman:                Thomas "Ace" Hanzes VFW Post 7599 (28) 106 N. 16th Street Greenville, PA.  16125 724-646-3072 [email protected]   December 11, 2023-Department judging  January 15, 2024-Department Winner and Reports submitted to VFW National HQ January 20, 2024-Annual Voice of Democracy Banquet-DoubleTree by Hilton-Pittsburgh Cranberry

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YOUTH ESSAYS

Youth Scholarships

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

Voice of Democracy

Established in 1947, our  Voice of Democracy  audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards 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. Before submitting your essay, download the  2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

About the 2023-2024 winner ...

Sophia Lin, a high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Sophia's speech on the theme, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" won her a $35,000 college scholarship. Sophia was sponsored by Scottsdale VFW Post 3513.  Watch as Sophia delivered her speech during the VFW's Parade of Winners award  ceremony or  read it here .

Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full  Parade of Winners ceremony  which was streamed live on Facebook, or  see this year's complete list of winners .

Patriot's Pen

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s  Patriot’s Pen  youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Before submitting your essay,  download the 2024-2025 entry form here  and  find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2023-24 theme is:  "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Bryant Day, an eighth grade student from Ashland, Ohio, was named the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen first place winner. His essay on the theme, "How Are You Inspired by America?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Bryant was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio.

Watch as Bryant delivered his winning essay  during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live on Facebook, or  read  his essay here.  See the complete list of 2024 national winners .

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2023-2024 VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Please be advised the top three VFW national Voice of Democracy scholarships have been raised $5k each, bringing the total national scholarship amount to $171,000.

1st Place $35,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship

2nd Place $21,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship

3rd Place $15,000 VFW Scholarship

Voice of Democracy -- "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"

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'It Felt Like a Dream'

After accepting the $35,000 t.c. selman memorial scholarship, a high school sophomore from tennessee explained what motivated him.

When Scotland Stewart sat down to ponder the 2022-23 Voice of Democracy (VOD) audio-essay prompt — “Why is the veteran important?” — the 15-year-old high school sophomore had only to look at his parents.

Raised by Air Force and Navy veterans, who themselves were raised by veterans, the VOD question was a deep and personal introspection on Stewart’s own family ethos.

“Pretty much everyone in my mom and dad’s families served in the military,” said Stewart, who won the 2022-23 VOD top prize, the $35,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship, in March. “I have followed their example my whole life, so I’ve always had the foundation and understanding of the importance of veterans and their impact on our country.”

“These are simple words to most of us, but to our nation’s veterans, these are their core values in life,” wrote Stewart, whose essay was sponsored by VFW Post 1893 in Estill Springs, Tennessee. “These words sustained them as they defended us.”

Stewart, whose father, Jerry, deployed during Operation Desert Storm, continued his essay by noting how shameful it is that U.S. citizens neglect the sacrifices that men and women in uniform have endured.

“Unfortunately, in America, respect and remembrance of our veterans has declined beyond an acceptable level of where it should be,” Stewart said. “The plight of our veterans, once returning home, is disgraceful.”

Stewart’s essay notes the sobering statistics of veterans succumbing to suicide or homelessness. As a result, he adds, “the percentage of Americans who can claim veteran status has declined from 18 percent in 1980 to 7 percent in 2018.”

This last statistic captured in Stewart’s winning essay segues into his plea to recognize the importance of veterans and what they’ve given to the nation.

“These brave men and women fight the battles abroad so that we do not have to fight here at home,” Stewart stated. “They provide the very liberty that allows us to enjoy the rights guaranteed in our Constitution, while placing themselves in harm’s way to do so.”

Ending his essay with a reiteration of the four pillars that have been instilled in him by the veterans in his own life, Stewart drove the point home.

“Veterans of the U.S. military are important because they risked their lives on the battlefield so that we can safely live ours in the shadows of peace,” Stewart said. “In return, we owe them that same honor, integrity, loyalty and service we received from them.”

‘I NEVER GAVE UP’ Stewart submitted his powerful audio-essay for consideration before the deadline in October last year, joining more than 26,000 VOD contest participants whose essays all painted a unique picture on the importance of veterans.

When he was later short-listed and then selected to represent the VFW Department of Tennessee after winning at the state level, the thought that this might be his year was planted.

“I had been applying since my English teacher in the seventh grade gave us copies of the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen contest form to fill out,” Stewart said of the national program for middle school students. “As the years went on, I kept applying. I never gave up.”

As had been customary in years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stewart joined the other 52 VFW Department VOD winners for the national finals in Washington, D.C.

Arriving on March 4 in Arlington, Virginia, the VOD finalists spent a couple of days sightseeing prior to the highly anticipated Parade of Winners, the event at which the national winners are announced. The tour of sites was hosted and funded by VFW and the program’s title sponsor, Twisted X.

Since partnering in 2019, Twisted X’s sponsorships of VOD and Patriot’s Pen programs have helped thousands of student participants receive scholarships. The partnership helped raise more than $1.3 million for VOD winners in 2022-23 alone, as well as nearly $780,000 toward Patriot’s Pen winners.

“VFW is encouraging and providing a platform for young adults to express their feelings about various patriotic themes,” said Prasad Reddy, Twisted X president and CEO. “I feel that this is truly a great experience for these young adults, and it is an honor and privilege for us to be a partner in this unique program with VFW.”

From Arlington National Cemetery and the Holocaust Museum to Mount Vernon and the National Mall, Stewart and the other 52 finalists followed a schedule that afforded them access to hallowed ground, where veterans are honored and memorialized for their sacrifices.

“It was absolutely amazing,” Stewart said. “I had been to D.C. in the past, but getting to experience it with kids from everywhere made it extra special. It led to some unbreakable bonds for sure.”

Having toured for a couple of days and making friends along the way, Stewart and the 52 other VOD finalists came together for the Parade of Winners on March 6 at the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Crystal City in Arlington.

‘IT’S AN ABSOLUTE HONOR’ The Parade of Winners was held in front of thousands of VFW delegates in town for the annual Legislative Conference in the nation’s capital, which ran from March 5-9.

As the final three names were called by Jr. Vice Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt, narrowing down to the T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship, Stewart recalled the nerves gripping him.

When his name finally rolled off the mic and echoed across the Regency Ballroom, Stewart basked in the moment by accepting his top prize with an incandescent smile and a firm handshake from VFW Commander-in-Chief Timothy Borland.

“It was unreal,” Stewart said. “Getting to fly out to D.C. was already a huge deal. But when they began nailing it down by names, my heart was going crazy. Then they called first place, and I just couldn’t believe it. It felt like a dream.”

After accepting the $35,000 award from VFW and Twisted X, Stewart approached the podium to read his winning essay in front of the large crowd made up of VFW delegates.

“Well, it is an absolute honor to be up here tonight,” began Stewart, who plans to use his scholarship toward a degree in economics or political science. “I can’t believe this is happening. I want to thank every person for coming out here tonight. I want to congratulate every person on stage here tonight.”

Like a person poised for large crowds, Stewart commanded center stage as he recited his essay to those in the audience, who gave him a standing ovation following the final sentence, an homage to all veterans living by those very four words — Honor. Integrity. Loyalty. Service.

Stewart’s speech was followed by 2023 Patriot’s Pen first-place winner Leighton Peters, a seventh-grader from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, who received the $5,000 Paul A. Spera Past Commander-in-Chief Award.

Peters’ winning essay, sponsored by VFW Post 2204 in Rice Lake, was themed “My Pledge to Our Veterans,” and received another standing ovation.

‘EXTREMELY BLESSED BY YOUR SUPPORT’ Returning to his hometown of Winchester, about 90 miles southeast of Nashville, Tennessee, Stewart was welcomed as the national VOD winner, an honor he was quick to share.

“My town has supported me, my school and school principal have all supported me,” Stewart said. “I miss the people in D.C. a lot, but I’ve enjoyed coming back to my hometown and sharing this honor with them.”

As for the friends he made during the Voice of Democracy national finals, Stewart continues to keep in touch with them. The sophomore, who admitted that the new scholarship has afforded him the chance to expand his college options, will see those new friends again in mid-June.

Customary for VOD winners, VFW is sending the 53 winners of the contest to the renowned Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for an interactive history lesson that runs from June 15-18.

Stewart also has been extended an invitation to attend Twisted X’s awards dinner on June 27 as an honorary guest.

“I’m very grateful for what has become one of the best experiences of my life,” Stewart said. “Everyone at VFW [and contest sponsor Twisted X], from the national level down to the local, I am extremely blessed by your support.”

This article is featured in the 2023 June/July issue of VFW magazine , and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr. , senior writer for VFW magazine. 

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