Berlin/Suffield/Avon HS Students Honored By VFW

Connecticut VFW

BERLIN/SUFFIELD/AVON, CT — Students from Berlin, Suffield and Avon placed in the top three in a prestigious essay contest organized by the Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

The state's VFW announced the winners are a recent ceremony marking the 2023-24 Voice of Democracy (VOD) District 3 essay contest.

This year’s theme was "What are the Greatest Attributes of our Democracy?"

The top essay winners from District 3 are:

• First Place – Addy Whiteside, senior, Berlin High School. She was sponsored by VFW Post
10732, Berlin.

• Second Place – Charlie Morello, junior, Suffield High School. He was sponsored by VFW Post
9544, West Suffield.

• Third Place – Mridhulaa Rajagopal, sophomore, Avon High School. She was sponsored by VFW
Post 3272, Avon.

All three were presented certificates and a monetary award at ceremony Jan. 13 in Plainville during the district's annual awards breakfast.

Created in 1947, the VOD audio-essay contest has been the VFW’s premier scholarship program since 1961.

It is open to high school students who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school or home study program in grades 9-12.

Each year, 68,000 students across the country participate to compete for more than $1 million in scholarships and incentives.

Contestants record a 3- to 5-minute essay based on an annual patriotic theme which is submitted to their local sponsor VFW Post.

The Post winners move on to a District level and those winners to a statewide competition during the fall of the academic year.

Whiteside was also awarded an honorable mention for her essay as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Connecticut, and its Auxiliary state awards ceremony on Jan. 14 in Rocky Hill.

“The Voice of Democracy competition provides high school students with the opportunity to speak out on freedom and democracy,” said Lee Wilson, District 3 commander. “The program has been popular and successful since its beginning in 1947 and we are proud to keep offering it to America’s young citizens.”

Whiteside was elated with the honor.

“I appreciate the VFW providing me with the opportunity to speak on something so crucial and
something I genuinely feel passionate about, not only our history and democracy, but the respect and admiration that veterans deserve for keeping that very democracy alive,” said Whiteside.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961.

The competition was created to provide students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to express
themselves regarding democratic ideas and principles.

A copy of the entry form and rules can be found at http://vfw.org/Community/Voice...