. Post 764 Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen .

Introduction 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. For more information contact: Joe Orient Post 764 Chairman 724-941-2336

Index: Voice of Democracy Post 764 Voice of Democracy Winners Patriot's Pen Post 764 Patriot's Pen Winners

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)

2005 Voice of Democracy / Patriots Pen Chairman Joe Orient presents awards

Post 764 Voice of Democracy Winners
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	Matthew 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	.
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	.
1987-1988	Stephanie D'Abruzzo	.
1986-1987	Kathleen M. Morkich	.
1985-1986	Jessica Smith	.
1984-1985	Christine Bell	.
1983-1984	Laura Slagle	.
1981-1982	Drew Khalouf	.
1978-1979	Laura Flint	.
1977-1978	Gordon Davidson	.
1976-1977	Martha McNully	.
1973-1974	Charles Duncombe	.
1972-1973	Cathy Farnan	.
1963	P Wila Yates	.

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