Senior Haley Butina is not only focusing on her future plans and college, she is also preparing for the State Finals of the Annual Voice of Democracy Speech Contest sponsored by the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

In order for Butina to move on to the State Finals, she had to outperform student speeches from State College, Altoona, Hollidaysburg, DuBois, Johnstown, and other schools within 60 miles of Tyrone.

Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program 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.

Butina has spent a lot time working on this essay.  According to 11th Grade English teacher Stephen Everhart, it is one of the most impassioned and rhetorically brilliant speech he has heard in many years.

Not only did Everhart help Butina with her essay and speech, art and multimedia teacher Eric Feather also helped her with recording her speech after school.

Along with her teachers, her family have also been very supportive of her endeavors.

Butina isn’t the first Tyrone student who has moved onto State Finals. In the past 12 years, five Tyrone High School students have moved on. 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; but unfortunately the 5th cannot be recalled.

“If you go back to 1982, I actually went to states, but I recall that my speech was lackluster compared to Haley’s and Mark’s. Tyrone kids today are such powerful writers. It’s exciting to see them flourish like this, and get money for their talents,” said Everhart.

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) generously offers money to those who win. For Butina, she has the opportunity to win $5,000 in January and could also win $30,000 in the spring if she makes it to Washington D.C. But setting aside the money, the VFW asks the writers to express their gratitude to the community and to those who have served.

Butina’s entry is pretty true to her real life. In the entry, she has nine cousins that are one-19 years old, and they all are “in a trance” with their electronics. Butina also mentions observations that she has seen in America today; this then inspired her to write the essay.

To read her essay click the link below:

My Responsibility to America

Along with the things she observes in America, Butina also mentions teaching; which is one of her goals for the future. She also hopes to go to college to then become an English teacher; and while teaching she hopes to influence her students and help create a future for students who are aware of what’s going on around them.

Haley will travel to Pittsburgh, PA to compete in the State Finals competition on January 21st.