Junior Braydon “Brady” Brower wanted to take a risk and enter into the VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) speech competition because he thought it would be a fun, yet rewarding challenge. Undeniably, it was a great idea to enter because he ended up winning at the local level.

Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest provides high school students with an opportunity to express themselves in a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

Brower’s speech was simply about the importance of appreciating veterans and recognizing what their sacrifices have contributed to America.

In his speech, Brower tells an emotional story about a conversation he had with his grandfather in which he told his grandson for the first time that he was a Vietnam veteran (click the link below to read the entire speech).

While he planned out what his speech would be about, he needed a little bit of help to push through the struggle of getting started.

“I believed at first that motivation [to write[ would be a big issue, and that a lack thereof would significantly affect the quality of the paper, so much that I put off starting it out of fear,” Brower said.

Fortunately, his English teacher, Mr. Steve Everhart, helped him to organize his speech and motivate him to complete it.

Brower will move on to the state competition. If he wins the state competition, he will move on to the national competition in Washington, DC, which will be held on March 6-7, 2018.

Brower isn’t the first Tyrone student who has won a VFW speech competition. In fact, Tyrone has a tradition of excellence in this annual competition.

Last year, 2017 graduate Haley Butina outperformed everyone in the state, beating out over 3,000 entries to be named the 2017 Pennsylvania state winner.  For winning states, Butina received $2,500 and went on to the national competition in Washington D.C.

In the previous 12 years, there have been five other Tyrone High School students that have moved to the State Finals.

In 2014, Mark Lewis placed second and won $4,000. In 2007, Alexis Pazmino took second and won $4,000 and in 2008, Francesca Lambert also moved onto States.

To read Brower’s essay click the link below:

VOD BRAYDON BROWER.docx (1)