KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The winners of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary-sponsored Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions were announced yesterday during the 2015 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
Celebrating its 68th year, the Voice of Democracy program helps encourage a better understanding and appreciation for our great country by requiring entrants to write and record a three- to five-minute script on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme was “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future.” The first-place winner, Adam Densmore, sponsored by VFW Post 3631 and Ladies Auxiliary in Aurora, Colo., received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he was presented with the T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship Award in the amount of $30,000. The second-place winner, Jaycie Schenone, sponsored by VFW Post 6604 and Ladies Auxiliary in Folsom, Calif., received the $16,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship Award. The third-place winner, Mackenzie Leishman, sponsored by VFW Post 2350 and Ladies Auxiliary in Elko, Nev., received the $10,000 VFW Scholarship Award. All other state winners received at least a $1,000 college scholarship. Nearly 40,000 students participated in this year’s competition.
Read Adam Densmore’s award-winning essay
Watch Adam deliver his essay on-demand at vfw.org
See the complete list of 2015 winners
The Patriot's Pen program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to express their opinions on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme was “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.” The first-place winner, Ethan Schroeder, sponsored by VFW Post 92 and Ladies Auxiliary in New Kensington, Pa., received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he received a $5,000 award. The second-place winner, Jordyn Mies, sponsored by VFW Post 7824 and Ladies Auxiliary Vancouver, Wash., will receive a $4,000 award. The third-place winner, Tracy Kruse, sponsored by VFW Post 2966 and Ladies Auxiliary in Scotland, S.D., will receive a $3,500 award. More than 125,000 students participated in this year’s competition.
Read Ethan Schroeder’s award-winning essay
Watch Ethan deliver his essay on-demand at vfw.org
See the complete list of 2015 winners
Left Photo: VFW National Commander John W. Stroud and Ladies Auxiliary President Ann Panteleakos present Adam Densmore with his $30,000 award.
Right Photo: VFW National Commander John W. Stroud and Ladies Auxiliary President Ann Panteleakos present Ethan Schroeder with his $5,000 award.
ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans organization. With nearly 1.9 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,800 Posts worldwide, “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” The VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.
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Contact: Kevin Jones
kjones@vfw.org