•January 23, 2019•

Sullivan high school senior Paige McLaughlin’s essay on “Why My Vote Matters” has won her first place at the local and district level, and she is heading to state.
On February 8 she will travel to Springfield to compete in the VFW’s 72nd State of Illinois Voice of Democracy Contest and the chance to win $1,000 in scholarship funds. If she is successful, her next journey will be to the national competition in Washington, D.C. where a $30,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winner.
McLaughlin is editor of the school newspaper and involved in National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Singers Crew, Scholastic Crew and WYSE team to name a few. She works summers at the Little Theatre on the Square.
McLaughlin was inspired to enter the contest because, as a new voter, she has definite opinions on the theme of “Why My Vote Matters” and also the opportunity to win scholarship money.
“I figured I might have a good chance,” McLaughlin began. “I had thought about the subject for some time, and my ideas were so well-formulated that I wrote the essay in about two hours.”
Her essay was warmly received at the district competition where she received a standing ovation at the end of her reading.
In her essay she makes the point that “…one vote can sway the outcome of anything, even in non-political cases.”
She urges people to always vote for what they think is right and for the person most qualified regardless of political party.
At home she has the company of her parents, sister Maggie and the family cat, Moses. She plans to major in English with an emphasis on creative writing and a minor in theater when she enters college in the fall.
In Springfield the contestants will be treated to a pizza party Friday evening, a Land of Lincoln tour on Saturday and an awards banquet Saturday evening.
“I have been to the Lincoln Museum but never to a big banquet so that will be interesting,” she said.
The Voice of Democracy competition was established in 1947 and is an audio-essay contest to provide high school students with a unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic, patriotic-themed recorded essay. Nearly 40,000 9th-12th grade students enter each year to share $2.2 million in scholarships and incentives. Application forms are usually available online in the fall.
The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the winner’s college, university or trade school.
Each state winner receives a minimum $1,000 scholarship and an expense paid trip to Washington for finals.
The theme for 2018-19 is Why My Vote Matters. Originality is worth 30 points, content is 35 and delivery is 35 points. Other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $16,000.
Tickets are available to the state competition banquet on Feb. 9 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel at 701 E. Adams in Springfield. They may be purchased by check to the State of Illinois VFW website. Click on the Contact Us tab, then the Donation tab. Be sure to indicate that your check is for the Voice of Democracy banquet. No tickets will be sold at the door.