Richland Two AVID Early College freshman student at Ridge View High School, Genesis Taylor, won 2nd place as an "Outstanding Spokesperson for Freedom" on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019 in the Veterans of Foreign War's (VFW) Voice of Democracy speech & essay contest at our local post in Elgin. This year's theme from the VFW was "Why My Vote Matters," in which Genesis addressed why more young people of her generation should go out and vote in national and state elections. The contest was established in 1947, and provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of $2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
