VFW Voice of Democracy 2021-2022
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Established in 1947. The annual Brainerd VFW Voice of Democracy competition is for students in grades 9 - 12 living within 50 miles of Brainerd, Minnesota. It is a 3 to 5 minute written and spoken essay. Judging is based on originality, content and delivery. Local prizes are $200, $250, and $300. Nationally $35,000. |
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American Journalist Charles Kuralt was once a winner of the VFW's Voice of Democracy competition when he was a young man.
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2021-2022: VFW National winner Daniela Mare from Lake Ronokonkoma, New York.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx7JItRJoEo |
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2021-2022 Theme: America: Where do we go from here?
Minnesota state winner Ashley Homme from Rochester, MN. |
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Brainerd VFW 2021 - 2022 winners: |
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9th grader Jagger Klecatsky, East Gull Lake, MN
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November 8, 2021, The Brainerd VFW 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy competition first place winner, Jagger Klecatsky. $300.00. His speech: As cities, states, the country, and the people, we must become more unified. In America, we must learn to work together, be more inclusive, focus on the well-being of the citizens, and be open-minded. Only this way, can we continue to be successful.
Firstly, we must learn to work together. The opposing parties in America, the democrats and the republicans, cause the country to be divided. Only when these opposing parties begin to work together, can we start making the necessary progress to unify this country. We must take the goals of either party and unite them to make collaborative goals. This will keep everyone on the same track. It is also important to agree on a course of action before acting in a situation. Choosing a plan of action that everyone is in agreeance with will make a beneficial outcome more likely. With all of this collaboration, it is likely for society to begin to move forward.
Secondly, our society must become more inclusive. It is important for everyone in our country to feel a sense of belonging. I believe that being inclusive to all genders, not exclusively males and females, will heighten the feeling of belonging in this country. It is also extremely important to stop racial discrimination in America. We must stand as one nation, as stated in the pledge of allegiance, not discriminating against people of Asian or African descent, but standing as Americans. We must be accepting of all people regardless of sexual preference, and move forward as a country.
Thirdly, we must focus on the well-being of the citizens. America is only as good as the people within it. This means it is important to provide the citizens with adequate food, water, and health care. When people have what they need, they are better equipped to do their part in making the country the best that it can be. A healthier population will make society more productive and economically efficient. Providing the best quality of life for the American people is crucial in unifying and advancing the nation.
Finally, our country must become more open-minded. We will make astounding progress if we look at issues from all angles so we can make the most beneficial decisions. Society must become willing to try non-conventional ideas or ideas that are not guaranteed to work, as these can often be the ideas that result in success. As a society, we must treat the opinions of everyone equally so that the best and most effective solutions can be found. When we are open-minded, solutions to problems will become visible, which will greatly benefit the country.
When the country becomes more unified by working together, being more inclusive, focusing on the well-being of the citizens, and being open-minded, we can move forward as one. This will make America a better place for everyone to live in, and cause success to be certain.
Sydney Roberts, Crosby, MN
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Madeleine Archer, Baxter, MN
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November 8, 2021, The Brainerd VFW 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy competition second place winner. $250.00
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November 8, 2021, The Brainerd VFW 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy competition third place winner, $200.00.
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Erin Stoeckig
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April 1, 2021: Erin Stoeckig of Rochester, Minnesota, was the first place winner in the national 2020-2021 VFW Voice of Democracy competition. The theme was "Is This the Country our Founders Envisioned?" Her prize was a $30,000 scholarship. More information.
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Erin's parents and VFW National Commander Hal Roesch.
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Erin Stoeckig gave her winning entry at Soldiers Field Veteran Memorial in Rochester, MN.
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2019-2020 Brainerd VFW Voice of Democracy Competition. The theme was, "What Makes America Great." Johnathan Berry, a 12th grade student at Brainerd High School, was the first place winner. He received a check for $300 and a certificate of accomplishment from the Brainerd VFW. Johnathan's entry also took third place in Minnesota VFW 6th District competition. His script and audio are below:
For weeks I pondered the question “What Makes America Great?”, The question asked here can be interpreted in so many ways and the vast amount of answers that can be presented is never ending, but I continued to funnel it through over and over again in my head, revisiting the question over and over again and the thing I began to realize is the easiest thing we begin to do as a society is neglect the many blessings our glorious country provides us with and how we continually take each and every one of those blessings for granted, believing we have nothing in life, but in reality the situation presented to us as citizens of the United States is great. As part of the youth of America, I find it especially important that we are granted a voice in justice and social issues and can stand up to make a drastic change in the nation which is given to us through our very first right in the Constitutional amendments. The government we have that functions through democracy allows us many rights that can be overlooked as well such as our amendments, our right to vote, the ability to voice our demands as a population, all these things allowed by our democracy-based government. I believe though that the 27 amendments that are given to us as citizens are the greatest things to ever come about in America because not only do they tackle many social issues and discriminative issues we have had in our nation’s history, but it provides us with many freedoms that can be prohibited in many other countries such as women’s rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and that is to just name a few. Not only has America in itself provided me with a voice to speak my concerns on social and unconstitutional issues it has provided me with basic benefits that make my life safer, easier, and better such as public education, healthcare, and even simple everyday household things such as heating, running water, and electricity. All things that seem so frequent and easily accessible that I sometimes don’t even realize that there are people in this world that live with none of these things and it can truly make a person count their blessings. America is also made great through the amount of opportunities it provides people to form their own successful ideas and businesses and allows peoples dreams to actually become reality. The possibilities of business opportunities are endless and with the amount of free advertising you can generate on your own through social media, it has never been possible in any other generation of people, it opens a whole new door for entrepreneurs in America to create and expand for their business. Seeing a wide variety of business possibilities not only makes the dream of success a possibility, it also makes it extremely easy. Basically what this question boils down to would be “What doesn’t make America great?” because when we have so many positives in our country and all of this greatness we should be looking at the bigger picture and asking ourselves, “Okay, what can we do next to improve our country?” and I think that is the best thing we can do for not only ourselves, but America as well.
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Johnathan went on to win third place in the Minnesota Sixth District competition. He received an award and $100.
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Keenan Hodge of Baxter, a 12th grader at Brainerd Senior High, was the second place winner this year. Received a $200 check and a certificate.
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Brandon Nims of Sebeka, MN, was declared Minnesota's 6th District 2019-2020 Voice of Democracy winner.
Ceremonies were held at the Minnesota VFW Mid-Winter Conference in Minneapolis on January 18, 2020. |
Elizabeth Link of Inver Grove Heights, MN, was named the 2019-2020 Minnesota VFW Voice of Democracy winner. The theme was, "What Makes America Great."
2022-2023 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2021-2022 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2020-2021 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2019-2020 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2018-2019 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2017-2018 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2016-2017 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2015-2016 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2021-2022 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2020-2021 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2019-2020 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2018-2019 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2017-2018 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2016-2017 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2015-2016 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
4th and 5th graders participate in the Essay Competition
Students in grades 6 - 8 competed in the Patriot's Pen competition
Scouts K-12 compete for Scout of the Year
Students in grades 6 - 8 competed in the Patriot's Pen competition
Scouts K-12 compete for Scout of the Year
