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

 

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

 

1979-1979

Laura Flint

 

1977-1978

Gordon Davidson

 

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

vfwpost764@gmail.com

(724) 941-3358 *Office

(724) 941-2005 *Canteen

460 Valleybrook Road McMurray, PA 15317