BONNERS FERRY — The Voice of Democracy essay contest has been the main scholarship program for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, with about 40,000 students competing in an essay competition to earn a school scholarship.

This year, the theme for the high school was ‘Why it is Important to Vote,’ and for the middle school, the essay was about ‘What the American Flag Means to Me.’

Knowledge is power, and encouraging the next generation to learn and apply their various skills may assist in future decision making for the whole communities benefit.

The winners obtain an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the city and be an honorable guest at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and their Auxiliary, as well as receiving monetary scholarship awards.

Students were required to submit an assay to be evaluated and winners were chosen. The local winners for the competition were Evelynn Chaney with PP #1, Christopher Durette with VOD #2, and Crysta McLeish with VOD #3.

With the remainder of the school year looming, the students will continue to work for help with their funds for further schooling and accomplishing their goals. This is one of many awards that can help further the knowledge of the next generation of scholars.