(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1163 has announced its Voice of Democracy contest winners. Ellen Poels and Marisa Solis, both students at Beaver Dam High School, finished in first place.
The Voice of Democracy is a worldwide audio-essay competition that requires entrants to write and record a three-to-five minute essay on a patriotic-based theme. The Beaver Dam VFW says they thank all participating high school students, staff, administration, and contest judges for their involvement.
The National Association of Broadcasters started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950’s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961.
The competition was created to provide students grades 9-through-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. Around 40,000 students participate in the competition each year and VFW awards more than $2.1-million-dollars in scholarships every year.
Pictured are Front Row: Matthew Ziebarth, BDHS Social Studies Teacher, Ellen Poels 1st Place, Marisa Solis 1st Place, Robert Essig, BDHS Associate Principal; Back Row: Curt Gruenewald, Contest Chair, Keith Lauth, Adjutant.
