BREMERTON -- Cadets from the Washington Youth Academy swept all three award entries during the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy speech writing contest at the local level (VFW Post 239). Cadet Mateo Wegzyn took the top prize and will go on to compete at the district level. Cadet Remington Dean took second and cadet Dylan Hart took third.
"A special 'thanks' to Tod Hall, English faculty, for his involvement in helping the cadets prepare for the competition and his guidance in helping them be successful in the Voice Of Democracy competition," said Larry Pierce, the director of the Washington Youth Academy. "Our cadets routinely place in one or two the top three prizes, however, this is the first time we’ve swept the competition!"
First prize is $100 as well as moving on to competing at the district level. Second prize is $75. Third prize is $50.
The VFW had an awards dinner and ceremony at VFW Post 239 in Bremerton on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Hall said that all of the cadets who entered the contest attended the ceremony in order to continue to support each other. Those cadets were Benner, Bennett, Harmon, Jones, Le and Oliver.
"Each saw themselves as critical friends rather than competitors," Hall said. "They supported each other’s growth as they worked and reworked their speeches."
The VFW established the Voice of Democracy program in 1947 to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regards to democratic ideas and principles. The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each (state) VFW Department wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe awarded the Washington Youth Academy Foundation a generous $1,000 grant to support summer school for the graduates of the Washington Youth Academy.  The assistance of the Tribe will help meet the educational goals of the young men and women who have completed the Academy program.

The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe awarded the Washington Youth Academy Foundation a $1,000 grant t support summer school enrollment costs for the young men and women of the Washington Youth Academy.  Summer school is an important step for many of the students to make sure they can graduate from high school with their class.  The Foundation is grateful to the Shoalwater Bay Tribe for supporting these fine young men and women.

Please help us win a $1,000 contest, sign up for iGive today.  It costs you nothing to join and the Foundation receives a percent of every on-line purchase by using the iGive button.

Each person who joins and tries the optional iGive Button between November 6, 2015 and November 20, 2015 earns Washington Youth Academy Foundation an extra $5. That's in addition to the normal donation amounts their purchases generate. It's a great time to ask folks to help your group, simply by shopping. No purchase necessary for the bonus!
On top of that, there's a $2,000 contest! Sign up the greatest number of "new to iGive" members during this period and you'll win $1,000 for Washington Youth Academy Foundation. The second and third place winners get $500 for their causes.
Three important details -

1. Over 1,700 stores participating make for easy donations.
2. New iGive members only (never joined before).
3. They must use your special link we've provided below to join. And they must try the Button through 2/15/16. More details here.

Ends 11/20/15.

New members must start trying the Button within three days of joining. That means they'll be all set to do their holiday shopping and help Washington Youth Academy Foundation at the same time. Every purchase they make will help, even after the bonus period ends. They'll feel good, and they'll do good.

The average shopper is raising over $30 a year, and many are raising $100 or $200 a year, at no cost to your cause or to them.
Just use this link:  Washington Youth Academy special link:
http://www.iGive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=55533&m=720408

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

First Place wins $30,000!

We ALL know Cadets who could use some help paying for college!

Let them know about the VFW's Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition!

This Year's Topic: My Vision for America
ENTRY DEADLINE: November 1, 2015

We need to spread the word, and we're asking friends like you to help out.
All students in grades 9-12 can apply. We want to reach as many patriotic students as possible to compete for the grand prize: $30,000 paid directly to the American college, university or vocational/technical school of their choice! Download the application.  HURRY, deadline is November 1, 2015.  Click here for list of your local VFW Post then check the phone book for a contact number.  Don't delay.

Pass the word on to:

• WYA Cadets
• WYA Teachers
• WYA Counselors
• WYA Mentors
• WYA Parents

Thanks for spreading the word about this incredible opportunity!