'What Makes America Great' essay contest

“What Makes America Great” is the theme for the 2019-2020 year for two programs offered by the VFW Post 4067, which could result in prize money and recognition for a student entering the contests.

The Voice of Democracy “was started by the National Association of Broadcasters in 1947. The Veterans of Foreign Wars became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961.”

Each state winner is brought to Washington, D.C. in February 2020 to compete for $155,500 in national college scholarships with first place of $30,000. Each state winner will receive at least $1,000.

Voice of Democracy is offered to grades 9-12 to any student enrolled in classroom studies. Entry forms can be found at http://www.vfw.org/Youth/ and click on Youth Education from this link. The entry is written by a student then recorded on a flash drive or audio CD and is to be between 3-5 minutes in length along with a typed copy of the essay.

The second program is offered to students in grades 6th through 8th grades is entitled “Patriot’s Pen” with the same theme of “What Makes America Great” written in essay format. Students are encouraged to express their views on what they deem makes our country great. Essays are to be 300-400 words in length with a +or – 5 words maximum; typed in English and the theme and possible footnotes do not count in the total of words. The information for this program can also be found on the above listed site.

National awards total $55,000 and all national winners will receive at least $500. First place winner is awarded $5,000 plus all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. and includes a parent or guardian.

Teachers and instructors are encouraged to work the programs into a writing or reading assignment so as not to deter from classroom studies.

The National Association of School Principals has approved both programs for National Advisory List of Contests and Activities.

Complete information has been sent to all county schools for both programs. Visit with your teacher to get entry blanks. If you have questions call 406-654-4283 for clarification.

All entries are to be mailed to Sharon Kindle, P O Box 381, Malta, MT, 59538 by midnight October 31, 2019.