Rising senior, Mattie Winburn was the recent recipient of a $2,000 scholarship from the Veterans of Foreign Wars youth scholarship program.

Winburn was one of the nearly 40,000 ninth- twelfth graders who participated across the country in the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program. The scholarship program provides high school students the opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. This year’s theme was “why my vote matters.”

The students submit their essay on November 1, where the VFW later announces the first place winner from each state. Each state winner wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

While in D.C., they announce they national first-place winner, who receives $30,000 paid directly to their school of choice. VFW State Chief of Staff, Harold Robers highly encourages students of all ages to participate in this opportunity.

Middle school students have the ability to participate in the Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest, where they can win $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to D.C.

Roberts said not enough students take advantage of the local opportunities at their VFW post, but they should seek out information from them and get involved.

The Bainbridge local VFW post is 4904, where the commander is Hill Yates. It is located on 1600 Pierce St. Bainbridge, Ga. 39819