Voice of Democracy Department of Arizona 2008 

Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the VFWs Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives. The Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6, 7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. The Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. 

Arizona is traditionally blessed with a strong field of scholarship candidates, and this year was especially noteworthy as ‘VOD Winners’ included some juniors. The VFW Department of Arizona announced their winners at the annual VOD Banquet that was held in Yuma this year on January 19th.  

Arizona’s top three Patriots Pen winners are Trevor T Kortsen (Flagstaff); Mathew E Munhall (Tolleson); and Eduardo Siordia (Nogales). VFW District VOD winners are Allison J Hutchins (Yuma); Jenny L Barton (Cottonwood); Cherie H Bates (Avondale); Rebecca Tappendorf (Mesa); Phillip R Ormand (Tucson); Nathan R Kies ((Pinetop-Lakeside); Joshua A Buss ( Patagonia); Katie S Mieding (Bullhead City); and Michael Yan (Chandler). Each of these “winners” was presented with a plaque, some mementos, and a monetary award at the Departments’ annual banquet (and previously had received awards at the Local and District level).  

Additionally, Cherie Bates, entered by VFW Post 40 and its Auxiliary, was awarded an all-expense paid trip to the VFW National Conference in April, where she will represent Arizona and is eligible to receive more awards.   

Total expenditures by the VFW Department of Arizona for this year’s scholarship programs, including winners traveling expenses, were in excess of $45,000.
Pictured are the top three winners of the VFW ‘Patriots Pen’ scholarship program for the year 2007-2008 (L-R): Trevor T Kortsen (Flagstaff); Mathew E Munhall (Tolleson); and Eduardo Siordia (Nogales)

Pictured are District winners of Arizona’s ‘VFW Voice of Democracy’ scholarship program for the year 2007-2008 (Seated L-R): Allison J Hutchins (Yuma); Jenny L Barton (Cottonwood); Cherie H Bates (Avondale); Rebecca Tappendorf (Mesa); and Phillip R Ormand (Tucson). (Standing L-R): Nathan R Kies ((Pinetop-Lakeside); Joshua A Buss (Patagonia); Katie S Mieding (Bullhead City); and Michael Yan (Chandler). Each of these ‘winners’ were presented with a plaque, mementos, and a monetary award. They had previously received awards at the local and district level. Also, Cherie Bates (below) will represent Arizona at the VFW National Conference.