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Say It On Tape, Win Scholarship

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Shirley May, trustee of Ruskin VFW Memorial Post 6287, invites high school and middle school students to enter the post’s annual essay contest on patriotism to compete for prizes, potential scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 3, 2008

RUSKIN - Paying for higher education is an increasing challenge for parents as tuition and college costs keep rising. But a local veterans organization is doing its part to help.

Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287 is conducting its annual Voice of Democracy scholarship competition, where a local high school student can win a trip to Washington and a $30,000 scholarship.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for students," said Shirley May, trustee for the post and a longtime member of its women's auxiliary. "To enter, all they have to do is submit an essay and make an audiotape of it to be judged by a panel of three to five area professionals."

The submissions are assessed on the audiotapes only, May said.

The tapes are judged on originality, 30 points; organization and content, 35 points; and delivery, 35 points.

"The idea is for students to be able to verbalize their thoughts," May said.

The judging is totally blind. "They have no idea who the students are or where they are from," she said.

Selected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, this year's topic is "Service and Sacrifice by America's Veterans Benefit Today's Youth By ..." Students in are required to record a three- to five-minute audio essay expressing their views on the subject.

Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy competition has fostered patriotism by giving high school students the opportunity voice their opinions. More than 100,000 students compete annually for more than $3 million in scholarships and incentives.

The competition starts at the local level, progresses through district and state. The 50 state winners compete for a $30,000 scholarship to be paid to the recipient's college, university or vocational/technical school and other scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000. State winners receive a four-day, all-expense-paid trip to the nation's capitol, sponsored by Target.

The contest is open to students in grades 9-12 in public, private and parochial schools or home-school programs. Entries must be received at the Ruskin post by Nov. 1.

First-, second- and third-place winners receive U.S. Series E Savings Bonds and engraved plaques or trophies. All participants receive some sort of prize, May said.

The post hosts a dinner for the students and anyone they choose to attend with them.

Last year's local Voice of Democracy winner, Lennard High School junior Samantha Gorby, received a $1,000 bond for her audio essay, "My Role in Honoring Veterans."

Interested students, parents and teachers should contact Shirley May at (813) 645-3410 or by e-mail at aability1 @verizon.net. Information and entry forms are available at www.vfw.org.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

WHAT: Voice of Democracy annual scholarship competition

LOCAL SPONSOR: VFW Memorial Post 6287, 5120 U.S. 41 N.

NATIONAL SPONSOR: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

WHO: Students in grades 9-12 in public, private and parochial schools or home-study programs

REQUIREMENTS: Written essay and three-to-five-minute audio tape of it

PRIZES: More than $3 million dollars in scholarships and prizes; a four-day, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

INFORMATION: Shirley May, (813) 645-3410; e-mail aability1@verizon.net; or visit www.vfw.org

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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