Speech Contest Fosters First Amendment Participation

By Cookie Steponaitis

While most Americans can quote some of the freedoms guaranteed by the United States (U.S.) Constitution and benefit from them in their lives, few stop to think about what life would be like if they were not there. Civic organizations across the country, in an effort to foster a stronger connection between the Constitution, their American heritage and freedoms, sponsor oratorical competitions designed to have students research, write and present their views on a variety of topics. During the past month over sixty students from Vergennes Union High School have reflected on their heritage and participated in a number of competitions at the local level.

    The Veterans of Foreign Wars annually sponsors the Voices of Democracy Speech Contest and Scholarship Program. The Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program created in 1947 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 at the local level will compete at the state and then national levels with other first-place VFW Department winners. The winner receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. The Voice of Democracy program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinions in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme. The theme for the 2009-2010 school year was Does America Still Have Heroes?

    “I really thought it was cool, because it was something I didn’t normally do. I had the chance to reflect on an issue that I never really had before. It makes you realize that the definition of a hero is different to each person and to have the chance to earn college scholarships was exciting. I am not by nature a public speaker and this really made me think not only about the topic, but how to present your ideas in public and that what you say matters,” commented sophomore Erika Evarts about her speech experience. Nadia Robtoy commented on the impact of the competition, “It really gave us a chance to practice real skills that we will use in other classes and in life. We all have to present concepts to others and to analyze what we feel and to realize that our opinions matter and that we have views to contribute.”

     In addition to the Veteran’s of Foreign War, Rotary International, Lions Club International and the American Legion offer speech contests of varying degrees of length and topic selection. Over the coming month and a half VUHS students will research, write, edit and prepare for these competitions. Themes such as the U.S. Constitution, Move to Grow and the Four Way Test provide the opportunity for contestants to practicing valuable skills in expressing their first amendment rights as well as reflecting on their role as citizens in an American democracy. While some students will achieve top honors and advance to the next round of competition, the experience results in all students acquiring life long skills.

    Teenagers who are interested in exploring these exciting programs and potentially earning funds for college should contact their local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War Post, Lions Club or Rotary Club.  Senior Marissa Andersen remarked, “It was so important for me to enter oratorical contests, not only because I learned about the history of my country, but I found my voice. I am proud to be able to express myself and to spend time really thinking about what it means to live in America.” VUHS students have earned seven state titles in the past six years, three New England titles and have consistently finished in the top ten at the national level. Total scholarship earnings for the teens have totaled over $ 30,000.