Two Franklin County high school students have advanced to the next step in their bid to gather a share $2 million in college scholarships and incentives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Since 1947, the V.F.W. has conducted the Voice of Democracy competition, an audio-essay program that provides students in grades 4 to 12 from across the country an opportunity to express themselves in a democratic and patriot-themed recorded essay.
Benton V.F.W. Post 2671 has announced two Post winners, Brandi Kerley of Thompsonville High School and Brody Miller of Benton High School.
Both students wrote and recorded an essay based on the topic “My Responsibility to America.”
Kerley’s essay centered on the theme of honoring her grandparents and living up to the standards both had set such as honoring their country, being a responsible citizen, and being a good family member and friend. She wrote that many of these responsibilities are available to her now, regardless of her age.
“I can stand tall when my country’s National Anthem plays,” she wrote. “I can be involved in my community … and I can be a functioning member of society now.”
Miller took a different approach, urging citizens to be active in the political process through voting, staying informed on the issues, and becoming involved.
“We can vote for defenders of the Constitution, we can be informed on the issues important to us, and we can be involved in the political process,” he wrote.
John Metzger, Commander of Post 2671, said the Post has been working with these high schools for a number of years.
“I always tell the kids this is part of the VFW’s way to get them involved and to think about what role they will play in promoting patriotism and citizenship,” he said. “Plus, it’s a way to get scholarships and prize money.
As Post winners, Kerley and Miller will advance to the District 15 competition. That awards dinner is scheduled for Jan. 7 in Marion.
