Community Corner
Smithtown VFW Voice of Democracy HS Essay Contest Underway
National VFW Essay Contest open to all HS students. Smithtown HS East, Smithtown HS West & Hauppague HS eligible to enter with local VFW.
2016 VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Competition
Applications now being accepted at 3 Smithtown High Schools.
The Voice of Democracy competition provides high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to write and record a 3-5 minute broadcast script on a patriotic theme, competing for more than $2.3 million in college scholarships and incentives.
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State winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to enjoy our nation’s capital and compete for $152,000 in scholarships, with first place receiving a $30,000 scholarship.
Smithtown VFW Post 10870 sponsors the competition locally every year and has now expanded the program to include Smithtown HS East, Smithtown HS West, and Hauppauge HS. The Post awards cash scholarships to winners of the competition, as judged by the Post Voice of Democracy committee, and presents Certificates of Achievement to all winners and finalists. The 1st Place Post winner’s essay is submitted to County level VFW competition and can go all the way to VFW National winner.
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The theme for this year’s essay is “My Responsibility to America”.
Last year’s 1st place winner was Dean Mattschull, from Smithtown West HS. Dean read his essay at the 2015 Smithtown Veterans Day ceremony. His essay also took 1st Place at County Level competition and he received additional scholarship awards.
For additional information, contact Tom Mooney, VoD Committee Chairman at 631 834-4128. The VFW.org website has additional information, application forms, and previous winners essays.
