Manchester Student Takes 3rd In National VFW Essay Contest

WASHINGTON, DC — Manchester Township High School senior Andrew Dodd has placed third in the national Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy scholarship program, the VFW announced.

Dodd, who won the New Jersey competition, joined students from across the United States for the national competition and came away with the $10,000 VFW Scholarship for the third-place finish.

The announcement was made during the Parade of Winners ceremony at the 2019 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. VFW Post 10061 in Lakehurst sponsored Dodd. More than 40,000 students entered the contest, the VFW said.

"The VFW has supported and nurtured the Voice of Democracy program for more than 70 years," VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence said, "because we understand the vital role students like Andrew play in helping ensure a strong, patriotic future for our nation."

Open to eligible ninth-12th-grade students, the VFW’s annual Voice of Democracy audio-essay program requires entrants to write and record a 3- to 5-minute script on a democratic, patriotic theme. The theme this year was "Why My Vote Matters," with national finalists competing for their share of $154,000 in scholarships and awards.

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