Voice of Democracy

The Theme for 2023-24

“What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our 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 thru 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 a minimum scholarship of $1,000. Last year Evanston VFW Post 7186 voted to award the first place local winner $250.

Help in preparing entries is available by texting Jim Hughes at 847-302-5133. Jim is the Voice of Democracy contact person for Post 7186.

The 2023-2024 theme is: “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?” Essays must be no shorter than three minutes and no longer than five.

Deadline — The completed audio file, essay and entry form must be in the hands of VFW Post 7186 by midnight October 31, 2023.

Your entry forms, audio files and essays can be emailed or sent via US Postal Mail.

Download and read the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy Rules and Eligibility Requirements.

Download and read the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy entry application.

You can complete the editable pdf entry form* in Acrobat or by hand.

For entries submitted via email:

Print and sign your completed entry form and scan it to a new pdf file.

Prepare your essay and audio files.

Acceptable essay and audio file formats include:

Essay Files:

Apple: Page
Microsoft Word: docx
Google Docs: docx
Any source: pdf

Voice of Democracy audio files

For all emailed files, be sure to use filenames that include your last name as entered on the entry form.

Please de-identify files by removing any author or personal identifying information from the file metadata.

Remember not to include your name in your essay file text.

Email your completed and signed entry form pdf file and your essay, and audio files to VFW Post 7186 at: info@vfw7186.org

For entries submitted by US mail:

Please follow the instructions in the Voice of Democracy Rules and Eligibility

Audio files can be submitted on an otherwise empty thumb drive.

Mail all entries to:

VFW Post 7186
P.O. Box 5503
Evanston, IL 60204-5503

*VFW rules stipulate that: “At any time during the contest additional participant personal information (i.e. SSN, photo, etc.) could be requested by the VFW.”

You can watch the 2022-2023 National Parade of Winners ceremony (scroll down to the March 9, 2023 Legislative Conference) and see the 2022-2023 complete list of national winners, or read about the Illinois State winners. Last years winning Post 7186 entry was submitted by Rebecca A.. You can listen to it here.

Evanston RoundTable press coverage:

9/5/2021: Evanston VFW post sponsors scholarship contests

12/2/2020: Winners of VFW Essay Contest Announced

8/22/2020: ’The Future and Their Place in It:’ VFW Aims for High Youth Participation in National Competitions