Scholarships
The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary’s ability to serve the community and the nation has been enhanced by the close relationships that it has built with high school students and educators. Recognizing that our youth are our country’s greatest national resource, VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members continue dedicating themselves to activities and programs that will enhance and enrich the lives of young people. Annually, the veterans’ organization distributes more than $3 million in scholarships and savings bonds to America’s youth through the annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Voice of Democracy
Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipientís American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Besides competing for the top scholarship prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, each Department’s first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Target.
The VOD program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ contest criteria and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
(Information source: National VFW website, January 2007)
Voice of Democracy Winners
Voice of Democracy Winners:
|
Year |
Winner |
Notes |
|
2006-2007 |
Rachel Paul Christine Getto (1st Place Tie) |
1st – District 24 3rd – District 24 |
|
2005-2006 |
Abigail Hull |
2nd – District 24 |
|
2004-2005 |
Rachel Paul |
|
|
2003-2004 |
Mathew Muetzel |
|
|
2002-2003 |
Amanda Muetzel |
1st – Dept PA |
|
2000-2001 |
Matt Sherwin |
1st – Dept PA |
|
1999-2000 |
Matt Sherwin |
|
|
1998-1999 |
Jennifer Peresie |
|
|
1997-1998 |
Emily Webb |
|
|
1996-1997 |
Mis Zoric |
|
|
1995-1996 |
Mirissa Carrillo |
|
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1994-1995 |
Mirissa Carrillo |
|
|
1993-1994 |
Mirissa Carrillo |
|
|
1992-1993 |
Kristine O’Keefe |
|
|
1991-1992 |
Melissa Jones |
|
|
1990-1991 |
Brian Burt |
|
|
1989-1990 |
Holly Stifflemier |
|
|
1988-1989 |
Andrew Braniff |
|
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1987-1988 |
Stephanie D’Abruzzo |
|
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1986-1987 |
Kathleen M. Morkich |
|
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1985-1986 |
Jessica Smith |
|
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1984-1985 |
Christine Bell |
|
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1983-1984 |
Laura Slagle |
|
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1981-1982 |
Drew Khalouf |
|
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1979-1979 |
Laura Flint |
|
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1977-1978 |
Gordon Davidson |
|
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1976-1977 |
Martha McNully |
|
|
1973-1974 |
Charles Duncombe |
|
|
1972-1973 |
Cathy Farnan |
|
|
1963 |
P Wila Yates |
SCHOLARSHIPS
Patriot’s Pen
1988 Stephanie D’ABruzzo from Peters Township High School was the first Voice of Democracy contestant sponsored by Post 764 to finish 1st in the Pennsylvania State competition
Patriot’s Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ contest criteria, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6th, 7th and 8th the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest.
Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first-place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
(Information source: National VFW website, January 2007)
2007-2008 Theme, “Why I Am An American Patriot”
Post 764 Patriot’s Pen Winners:
2006-2007 John Ross Rao
2005-2006 Patrick Flaherty
2004-2005 Lindsay Bayer
2003-2004 William Cody
Contact Us
Contact VFW 764 for information and assistance regarding veterans services, social programs