AUBURN – Donald W. Linscott Jr. has announce that the Auburn Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1603 is sponsoring its 60th “Voice of Democracy” scholarship competition.

Linscott, contest chairman, requests that Auburn and Poland high school students interested in a chance at a $30,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C., contact him.

Students will write and record a three- to five-minute audio/essay expressing their views on this year’s patriotic theme, “My Role in Honoring America’s Veterans.”

The Auburn VFW is responsible for contest entrants from Edward Little, Poland Regional and St. Dominic Regional high schools, as well as home-schooled students in grades nine through 12 in Auburn or Poland.

Two Auburn VFW competition entrants will each win $200 in bonds and prizes and advance to District 9, competing against winners from Lewiston, Lisbon, Monmouth, Jay, South Paris and Rumford. District prizes are $150, $75 and $50.

The district winner will go to the state competition against the other 11 districts. Maine VFW will award $1,500, $800 and $500 scholarships. Every entrant in the state VFW competition will be awarded at least a $100 U.S. savings bond. The state VFW winner will take a four-day tour of Washington, D.C. All will vie for the $30,000 first-place award, and all will receive at least a $1,000 national scholarship.

Interested students can reach Linscott at 782-6873 or the VFW Post 1603 at 783-2561 from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and leave name, address and telephone number. A brochure and application as well as last year’s winning essay will be sent.

All entrants will have the use of the VFW computer. Arrangements can be made to assist in taping if necessary. All scripts and tapes must be in the chairman’s hands by Nov. 1.