Voice of Democracy

The Theme for 2024-25

“Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?”

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth thru 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.0 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000. You can see the national awards on the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Listing.

Last year Evanston VFW Post 7186 voted to award the first place local winner $250.

The 2024-2025 theme is: “Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?” Essays must be no shorter than three minutes and no longer than five.

Deadline — The completed audio file, essay and entry form must be in the hands of VFW Post 7186 by midnight October 31, 2023.

You can complete the editable pdf entry form in Acrobat or by hand.

For entries submitted via email:

• Download the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy entry application.

  • Read the instructions and especially the Judging Criteria

  • Complete the editable pdf

  • Both you and your parent/guardian must sign the form

• Prepare your essay and audio files.

  • Acceptable essay and audio file formats include:

Essay Files:

• Apple: Page

• Microsoft Word: docx

• Google Docs: docx

• Any source: pdf

Voice of Democracy audio files

• m4a

• For all emailed files, be sure to use filenames that include your last name as entered on the entry form.

Please de-identify files by removing other personal identifying information from the metadata.

Remember not to include your name in your essay file text.

• Email your completed and signed entry form pdf file and your essay, and audio files to VFW Post 7186 at: info@vfw7186.org

For entries submitted by US mail:

• Audio files can be submitted on an otherwise empty thumb drive.

Mail all entries to:

VFW Post 7186
P.O. Box 5503
Evanston, IL 60204-5503

Help in preparing entries is available by texting Jim Hughes at 847-302-5133. Jim is the Voice of Democracy contact person for Post 7186.

See the 2023-2024 complete list of national winners, or read about the 2023-2024 Illinois State winners. The 2022-2023 winning Post 7186 entry was submitted by Rebecca A.. You can listen to it here.