HAUPPAUGE STUDENT WINS ESSAY COMPETITION

Hauppauge High School Senior Dan Smith was the first-place winner of the annual VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Competition. The theme for this year’s essay was: “Why Veterans Are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future.” Smith received a score of 668 out of a possible 700. His essay has advanced in the national competition to VFW County level judging.

Smithtown VFW Post 10870 sponsors the competition locally every year. The Post awarded scholarships to the winners of the competition, as judged by the Post Voice of Democracy committee, and also presented Certificates of Achievement to all winners and finalists. Post Service Officer Tom Mooney, who administers the program, said “the participation and support from the schools is really great.”

The annual Voice of Democracy Competition provides high school students with 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. Individual state winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for $152,000 in scholarships—with the overall first-place winner receiving a $30,000 scholarship.