LEWISTON – Commander Bill Pelletier of Post 9150, VFW, announces the kick-off of this year’s VFW and Auxiliary Voice of Democracy scholarship competition. High school students can compete in the 57th annual audio essay competition and win scholarships, a trip to Washington, D.C., and other awards.

Students begin by competing at the local level. Post winners advance to district. District winners compete in the state competition. The state winner will take four-day tour of Washington, D.C., along with the winners from every state, the Pacific areas, Latin America/Caribbean and Europe.

Students compete by writing and recording a three-to-five minute audio/essay expressing their views of this year’s patriotic theme, “My Commitment to America’s Future.” All state winners receive at least a $1,000 national scholarship, but one could win the $25,000 first-place award. The deadline for entry is Nov. 1.

Interested students and teachers should contact Voice of Democracy Chairman Armand Bussiere at 688-2291 or write to Longley-Dionne VFW Post 9150, P.O. Box 1834, Lewiston, ME 04241.