Three Father Ryan juniors were recently awarded for their entries in the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest. The contest asks interested students to submit audio-files of an original essay on a given topic.
Katie McGuire won first place at the district level and second at the state, taking home $1,300 in scholarship money from the VFW. Alexis Flores and Alex Barnett finished first and second respectively at the post level, taking home $200 and $100 in scholarships also respectively.
The VFW established the Voice of Democracy program in 1947 to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regards to democratic ideas and principles. Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students from across the country enter the VOD audio-essay competition to win a share of the $2.2 million in educational scholarships and incentives.
The audio-essay contest asks interested students to compose and present a brief essay on a given theme. Students submit an audio recording of their essay for consideration, which is judged on originality, content and delivery. This year’s theme was “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future.”
“We are proud of Alex, Alexis and Katie for their success in this competition,” said President Jim McIntyre. “The theme of this year’s Voice of Democracy contest is an important message that we deliver as often as we can at Father Ryan. To see our students be rewarded for their hard work is exciting and to all of us here.”
The awards were delivered to the students by John Furgess, Father Ryan Class of 1961 and Past Commander-in-Chief of the VFW Post 1970. For more information, visit www.fatherryan.org.
Photo above: John Furgess, Father Ryan Class of 1961 and Past Commander-in-Chief of the VFW Post 1970, visited his alma mater to present two Father Ryan juniors, Alex Barnett and Katie McGuire, with their awards for the VFW Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest. Also awarded but not pictured was junior Alexis Flores. (From L to R: Furgess, Randy Lancaster, Father Ryan Class of 1983 and English Department Head who oversees the contest submissions for the school, McGuire, Barnett, and Principal Paul Davis, Father Ryan Class of 1981)
