BHS Participates in VFW Sponsored Voice of Democracy
Thirty Barnesville High School students participated in the Voice of Democracy (VOD) audio-essay scholarship contest sponsored by the Barnesville VFW Post #2792. The VFW officers and auxiliary listened to the essays and selected two students to represent their post at the district level. Each student received a cash incentive from the VFW. This year’s theme was “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”
Sophomores Gunner Dudzik and Evan Wells were selected from the submitted essays to continue to the district level. Dudzik described patriotism in the following way: “It’s showing you love your country, people giving back to their community, and doing your part for all who live here.” Dudzik’s grandpa served in Vietnam. Dudzik shared that patriotism includes appreciation for our freedom and knowledge of our country’s history. “Sometimes people think patriotism is not being able to criticize your country, but I don’t believe that. Wanting your country to improve and speaking up when something isn’t right is really a very patriotic thing to do,” expressed Dudzik.
Wells said, “When I think about patriotism, I think of love. Not just love for a flag or a song but love for what those things stand for — freedom, unity, and the chance for everyone to live their lives with dignity and hope.” Wells expressed that we can show patriotism through small, everyday actions, such as standing for the national anthem, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and thanking veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices. “Patriotism isn’t blind — it’s hopeful. It means believing in what America stands for and wanting to help it grow stronger and fairer with each generation,” stated Wells.
The VFW Post #2792 and the BHS have had a great relationship throughout the years, supporting one another’s efforts to teach students about democracy and patriotism. BHS history teacher and VOD co-coordinator, Nick Saffield, stated, “The essay contest allows students to take American history content that they have learned in class and see the importance of the men and women who have fought for our democratic values.” Saffield continued, “The students also have the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by our community’s veterans and the personal impact those sacrifices have had on them as young adults.”
The VOD also extends into other school subjects. The audio-essay is a class assignment in Advanced Sophomore English. ELA instructor and VOD co-coordinator, Heather Eberhart, shared, “I appreciate the opportunity to use this contest to teach my students about speech writing and how to deliver one effectively.” BHS librarian and VOD co-coordinator, Lisa Gallagher, added, “This contest provides a chance for me to instruct students on how to utilize our technology to record and save their essays.” Eberhart and Gallagher are proud of the students each year and their creative responses to the theme.
The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program was established in 1947 to provide high school students an opportunity to express themselves in a democratic and patriotic way. More than 26,400 students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.4 million in educational scholarships and incentives. The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university.
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