- Who may enter
- Eligible students in grades 9–12
- Audio length
- 3–5 minutes, plus or minus 5 seconds
- Entry deadline
- By midnight on
- National first-place award
- $35,000 college scholarship
2026–2027 Theme
"What a Veteran Taught Me About America”
About the Competition
Since 1947, Voice of Democracy has given high school students an opportunity to express their views through a recorded patriotic audio essay. Entries begin at the local VFW Post level and may advance through District, Department (state), and National competition.
The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to an eligible American university, college, or vocational/technical school. Each VFW Department first-place winner receives a national scholarship of at least $1,000 and participates in the Founding Forward Spirit of America Youth Leadership experience at Valley Forge.
Who Is Eligible?
Students must be in grades 9–12 by the October 31 deadline and meet the official enrollment and residency requirements. Eligible students may attend public, private, or parochial high schools or home study programs. Dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools may also qualify.
Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, and GED or Adult Education students are not eligible. Review the official rules for complete residency and eligibility requirements.
Prepare Your Entry
- Write an original essay that directly addresses the 2026–2027 theme.
- Record the essay in your own voice and in English.
- Create an MP3 audio recording that runs 3–5 minutes, with a maximum variance of 5 seconds.
- Do not submit video, music, singing, poetry, or sound effects.
- Prepare the typed essay/transcript and complete all required entry information.
- Keep your name, address, school name, and other personal identifiers out of the body of the essay.
Your essay must be your own work. The official rules state that inappropriate use of ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence tools is not allowed.
Students who need hearing or speech accommodations should contact VFW National at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions.
How to Enter Through VFW Post 7824
Washington requires Voice of Democracy entries to be submitted through Scholars App. Use the Post 7824 entry link or QR code so your application reaches the correct sponsoring Post for judging.
- Request or open the Post 7824 Scholars App pathway. Email youth@vfw7824.org if you need the Post’s entry link or QR code.
- Prepare your materials. Have your MP3 recording, typed essay/transcript, and the information required by the official entry form ready before beginning the submission.
- Complete the Scholars App application. Follow the prompts and confirm that your audio file, transcript, and required information have uploaded successfully.
- Submit by midnight on October 31, 2026. Do not wait until the last minute; allow time to correct an upload or account issue before the deadline.
Email is available for questions and assistance. The contest entry itself must be submitted through Scholars App for Washington competition.
How Entries Are Judged
Judging is based on the quality of the student’s ideas and recorded presentation. Decisions of judges at each level are final.
Advancement: One winner for every 15 Post entries may advance to District, and one District winner advances to the Department competition.
Questions? Contact VFW Post 7824
Students, parents, guardians, educators, and homeschool families may contact our Youth Activities team for contest information and Scholars App assistance.
VFW Post 7824 — Youth Activities400 N. Andresen Road
Vancouver, WA 98661
youth@vfw7824.org
There is no cost to enter Voice of Democracy.
Official sources: VFW National Voice of Democracy and 2026–2027 official entry form; VFW Department of Washington Youth Essays and Scholars App instructions. Information reviewed September 21, 2026. The official rules and current Washington submission instructions control if requirements change.
