Kelly, a GHS sophomore, was chosen from over a dozen finalists submitted from Greenville High School and schools from the surrounding area. At the conclusion of the competition, Mrs. Marti Agiler of The VFW Women’s Auxiliary, presented Long with a $100 check and a certificate.

Kelly prepared her speech, “Why I’m Optimistic about America’s Future,” as part of an assignment in her high school debate class taught by Mr. Kevin Evans, and digitally recorded it to be judged by the VFW.

“The United States of America is the very definition of perseverance and justice, and I believe America will continue to lead the world toward the future,” Long said.

Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy 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 national first place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship paid
directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational technical school.

The program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.

Since 1947, the VOD program has been the V.F.W.’s premier scholarship program, with more than 100,000 high school students competing annually.