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Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Speech Competition
Organization
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Role
Student Speech Competition Participant
Leadership Area
Public Speaking • Civic Engagement • Communication
Date
2024 • 2025 • 2026 — Third Consecutive Year
2026 Competition In Progress — Audio Essay Due October 31, 2026
Focus
Public Speaking • Speechwriting • Civic Awareness • Veterans • American Values • Research • Communication
Skills Demonstrated
Public speaking, speechwriting, research, critical thinking, communication, active listening, preparation, confidence, and civic awareness.
Impact
My Voice → Using My Voice to Explore Service, Citizenship & America
My Leadership → Returning for Three Years to Listen, Research, Write & Grow
My Impact → Honoring Veterans While Becoming a More Thoughtful Writer & Speaker
I first participated in the Veterans of Foreign Wars speech competition in 2024 and returned in 2025. In 2026, I am preparing to compete for my third consecutive year. Each competition has challenged me to research a new topic, develop my own perspective, strengthen my writing, and communicate a meaningful message through my voice.
This year's audio essay theme, “What a Veteran Taught Me About America,” has made the experience especially personal. Preparing my essay has given me an opportunity to listen to veterans in my own family and think about what their experiences can teach my generation about service, sacrifice, responsibility, and what it means to be an American.
Returning to this competition year after year has allowed me to see my growth as both a writer and speaker. I have learned that a meaningful speech begins before you ever stand in front of an audience or turn on a microphone. It begins with listening, researching, thinking for yourself, and finding something worth saying.
2026 Competition
Theme: What a Veteran Taught Me About America
Format: Audio Essay
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2026
Status: In Progress — Preparing for Third Consecutive Year
