Mackenzie Roberts Wins South Dakota VFW Voice of Democracy Contest by Jerry Seiner Mackenzie Roberts, a Junior at Wagner Community School, was named the VFW Department of South Dakota’s first-place winner and recipient of a $500 cash award in the 2019-2020 Voice of Democracy Scholarship program. VFW Post 7319 and its Auxiliary of Wagner, sponsored Mackenzie. “The Voice of Democracy competition provides high school students with the opportunity to speak out on freedom and democracy,” says VFW Department Commander Sean Johnson. “The program has been popularandsuccessfulsinceitsbeginning in 1947, and we’re proud to keep offering it to America’s young people.” The Voice of Democracy is a worldwide audio-essay competition that requires entrants to write and record a three-to-five minute essay on a patriotic-based theme. “What Makes America Great” was this year’s theme. Mackenzie and the four other contestants were provided with lodging on Sunday evening in Ft. Pierre on January 26 for the award presentation. They attended a social gathering with the other contestants that evening. On Monday they met with David Gilbertson, Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, then enjoyed a guided tour of the Capitol Building. A noon luncheon was held to announce the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy winners and to present the Teacher of the Year Awards. Following the awards presentation they met with Governor Kristi Noem and Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden. Over 800 South Dakota students participated in the competition this year. As one of 53 finalists worldwide, Mackenzie will travel to Washington, D.C. from February 29 to March 5 to enjoy our nation’s capital and compete for $154,000 in national college scholarships— first place receiving $30,000. Each state winner will receive at least $1,000 at the national level. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. Around 40,000 students participate in the competition each year and VFW awards more than $2.1 million in scholarships every year.