2025 VFW District 4 VOD and PP Awards Banquet

Welcome to the 2025 VFW Department of Arizona District 4 Voice of Democracy and Patriots’ Pen page. It is a privilege to serve as your District 4 Commander and to bring all of our Posts together to celebrate our outstanding youth scholars in one place and at one time.

This year, District 4 proudly recognized 42 incredible students at our banquet for their powerful essays and speeches in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs. Each of these young leaders showcases the dedication of our Posts, Auxiliaries, schools, and families who encouraged them to raise their voices for patriotism, citizenship, and service.

VFW Department of Arizona District 4 is honored to present 1st place Voice of Democracy winner Charlotte Gould, a Junior from BASIS Scottsdale and 1st place Patriot’s Pen winner Mara Kyes, 7th Grade from Fountain Hills Middle School to Department-level judging, with results to be announced at the Winter Conference on January 10, 2026.

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From District winners across Arizona, Department selections advance to the VFW National level, where the top Voice of Democracy student earns a $35,000 college scholarship, and the top Patriots’ Pen student receives a $5,000 award, both paid directly toward their education.

Since the late 1940s, the VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriots’ Pen programs have reached tens of thousands of students each year and now provide well over $3 million in combined scholarships, awards, and incentives nationwide across all levels of competition. These programs inspire students to think deeply about American ideals, promote patriotism, and encourage responsible citizenship, awarding millions of dollars in scholarships to hundreds of thousands of students over the years.

The VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio‑essay program began shortly after World War II and has been the organization’s premier high school scholarship program since the late 1940s. Open to students in grades 9–12, it gives young people a powerful platform to express their views on democracy and citizenship while strengthening their understanding and appreciation of American ideals.

Today, tens of thousands of high school students participate in Voice of Democracy each year, competing for their share of more than $1.4–$2 million in scholarships and incentives at the local, district, department, and national levels. The national first‑place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship, with many additional awards ensuring that outstanding students across the country are recognized for their work.

The Patriot’s Pen essay contest was created to extend the same patriotic focus to middle school students in grades 6–8. It challenges young writers to explore an annual patriotic theme, building their writing and critical thinking skills while encouraging them to reflect on what citizenship and democracy mean in their own lives.

Each year, well over 50,000 middle school students nationwide enter Patriot’s Pen for a chance to share in nearly $1 million or more in combined state and national awards and scholarships. The national first‑place winner receives a $5,000 award, with additional scholarships and prizes presented to department winners as they advance through the competition.

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Notable Recent National Winners​ from Arizona

• Voice of Democracy 2023–2024: Sophia Lin (Arizona) – A high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale and former District 4 winner, she received the $35,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship for her essay “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?” 

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• Patriot’s Pen 2018–2019: Daniel Rodriguez (Arizona) – His winning essay, “Why I Honor the American Flag,” reflected on family military service, respect for sacrifice, and the flag as a symbol of unity and freedom, earning him the $5,000 first‑place national Patriot’s Pen prize.

District 4’s success in promoting Voice of Democracy and Patriots' Pen is built on the tireless work of our Post leadership teams. Special thanks go to:

• Post 720: Commander Roger Razon, Adjutant Glen “Vinny” Grue, and Scholarship Chair Bobby Trujillo.

• Post 1760: Commander Jesse Chitwood, Adjutant Brenner Sullivan, and Scholarship Chair Kevin Robison.

• Post 1796: Commander Roland White, Adjutant Joseph Proffer, and Scholarship Chair Jacob Hutson.

• Post 3513: Commander Randy Deines, Adjutant Kevin Erickson, and Scholarship Chair Thomas Kendra.

• Post 3632: Commander Jose Moreno, Adjutant Ryan Johnson, and Scholarship Chair Leonard Kuczynski.

• Post 7507: Commander Richard Holper, Adjutant Matthew Hartman, and Scholarship Chair Bruce Kosaveach.

• Post 9400: Commander Michael Parker, Adjutant Joseph Loggia, and Scholarship Chair Titus Matus.

• ​State Commander Gregory Harrell 

Their commitment to outreach, mentoring, and coordination with local schools enables our students to shine on the District, Department, and National stages.

Thank you to every student who entered, to the teachers and parents who encouraged them, and to every comrade and Auxiliary member who helped make this banquet and these programs possible. District 4 is still serving by investing in the next generation of leaders, and the passion, talent, and patriotism of these students show that our future is in very good hands.

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