Information about the VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program: Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is, “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” Why Should I Enter? Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top scholarship being $35,000. The Rules - Who can enter? The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. What do I need to enter? Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 second max.) audio essay on a flash drive, or other electronic device. You will submit the recording, typed essay and this completed entry form. Provide these items to your school/group competition or VFW Post for judging. In addition, you can submit your emailed entry form, essay, and audio file to the VFW Post upon approval. You must be the sole author of your essay. Inappropriate use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin) although the recording & typed essay should be labeled with your name, to show ownership. Where Do I Submit My Entry? All entries begin at the VFW Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the VFW Post. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the Post. Entries sent to VFW National will be returned. One winner for every 15 entries from each Post advances to District and one District winner advances to the state (Department) competition. If you need help finding a participating VFW Post, follow these instructions: First, visit this website vfw.org/FindaPost to “Find A VFW Post.” If you do not have success in finding a Post, or if you have trouble getting in touch with them, you can contact your VFW Department (state) office to see if they can offer any information or assistance. You can visit this link https://www.vfw.org/ContactUs/ and look for “Find a State Contact” to get your VFW state office’s phone number and email. If you still need assistance, please email us at VFW National Headquarters at youthscholarships@vfw.org All entries competing at the Post level must be in the hands of that VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31, 2024. It is the responsibility of the student to meet this deadline by submitting their entry to the proper location by ensuring it is a participating Post.
More Twins!
So many twins at GHS yesterday!
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is once again underway! This is a Constitutional Speech contest providing winners with scholarship. High school students, grades 9-12 of public high schools, private schools, parochial schools, military schools and home-schooled are invited to compete in the 2024/2025 contest. The usual procedure is for contestants to compete in a local Legion Post contest, progress to a District contest, and that winner of each District advances to the State Finals. The Department winner will represent Maine in the National Contest in Hillsdale, MI, May 16-18, 2025 with the National organization funding round-trip tickets and lodging for both the contestant and a chaperone over 21 years of age. The primary purpose of the contest is to instill in students a better knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution. Side developments enhanced are leadership qualities, thinking and speaking clearly, and preparation for acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship. A secondary purpose is to assist students in paying the high cost of a college education. Previous contestants have remarked that the positive experience of speaking in front of an audience will help them in many aspects of their lives going forward. Students who compete in these contests have the opportunity of receiving money awards toward their future school endeavors. Post and District awards are to be determined by those areas. On the State level, the 1st place winner receives $1,500; 2nd place $500; 3rd place $300; 4th place $125. Students who compete in the National Contest will receive at least a $2,000 scholarship with the final competition awarding $25,000. The State Oratorical Contest will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. A tentative snow date of February 15, 2025, has been scheduled. For additional questions and information pertaining to the Oratorical Contest in Maine, please contact Oratorical Chairperson Maureen Malley at: maureenmalley.66@gmail.com Further information may be obtained by visiting www.mainelegion.org, your local American Legion Post, or contacting The American Legion, Department of Maine Headquarters at 207-873-3229 | email: legionme@mainelegion.org. Please check out the State and Local Oratorical Contests by visiting National’s website at www.legion.org/oratorical
More Purple Day Pictures!
CONGRATULATIONS TO SHERRY AND MRS. BOWERS FOR THEIR PURPLE LOOKS!
And thanks to EVERYONE who wore purple yesterday to show their spirit and support! 💕🌍
Congrats to our Flannel Day Winners!
It's purple day in honor of mental health awareness! Wear purple today!
Interested in joining the Gorham High School Robotics Team? Please come to the Northern Force Robotics, FIRST Team 172, annual information and kick-off meeting to learn more about your award winning robotics team, the program and and our facility. Please bring at least one parent and something to share at our potluck on Sunday Sept. 29th, 5:30 PM at The STEM Coliseum at the Maine Mall. We have an outside entrance, door 66 to the left of Round One Bowling and the food court.
Bates College is hosting their Fall Open House on Monday, October 14th and interested students and families are invited! During their open house, there will be campus tours and opportunities to explore inside campus buildings, have lunch in their nationally-rated dining hall, take part in insightful panels with college leaders, attend mock classes with Bates professors and experts, get expert advice from the Office Of Admissions, connect with current students about life at Bates, and have a chance to see if Bates feels like home! Interested students should register for this event by going to https://www.bates.edu/admission/campus-visits/
Tsgt. Darlena Vazquez with the U.S. Air Force will be here on Wednesday, November 6th during the lunches to speak with any interested students; feel free to stop by and ask her any questions that you might have!
Colby College is excited to partner with 12 of the nation’s top colleges to bring a series of college access college fairs to Northern New England. Each session will feature a 60 minute college application workshop followed by a 90 minute college fair with the 13 attending institutions. The institutions attending include: California Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, Colby College, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, The University of Chicago, The University of Maryland, The University of Alabama, University of Denver, University of Southern California, and Vanderbilt University. These college fairs will take place at the following schools: Champlain Valley Union High School Hinesburg, Vermont September 30, 2024; 6:30 - 9 p.m. St. Johnsbury Academy St. Johnsbury, Vermont October 1, 2024; 6 - 8:30 p.m. Lebanon High School Lebanon, New Hampshire October 2, 2024; 6 - 8:30 p.m. Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School South Paris, Maine October 3, 2024; 6 - 8:30 p.m. They look forward to seeing interested students and their families at one of these sessions! For any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Colby College Admissions Office at 207-859-4800 or at admissions@colby.edu
Yarn Club meets Friday mornings at 7:15 in room C-218 with Mrs. Rennie. Join us for our first meeting this Friday, the 27th!
It's homecoming week! Which also means it's spirit week, and today is flannel day! Let's see your flannel, GHS!
Key Club will be meeting this Tuesday in Mrs. Whipkey's room, room C-211. Join us to get updated on our upcoming schedule and activities.
Meet the GHS Theater Student Officers! They have some great shows coming up this year, starting off with The Crucible November 8th through the 10th.
Gorham Field Hockey announces its now annual Mental Health Awareness Game on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Wear purple and join us in supporting mental health and suicide prevention awareness. All donations benefit the Community Action 4 Mental Health.
A great group of GHS Student Leaders met this week to talk about our school and how we continue making it better. The group decided to focus on school spirit and fostering more cultural awareness.
Yale University is hosting their Multicultural Open House 2024 on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM! This will be held at Dwight Hall on Yale's Old Campus, 67 High Street, New Haven, CT This is a great opportunity for interested students and parents to learn about academic programs, campus life, admissions, and financial aid. The program will include a faculty panel, student life forum, performances by student groups, opportunities to visit Yale's four cultural centers, and lunch on campus. Check in will be held in Dwight Hall on the Old Campus quad. Enter through the gates on High Street or through Phelps Gate at 344 College St. Yale will provide shuttle service between Union Station and Phelps Gate. Join them in celebrating diversity and inclusion at Yale! Experience Yale's cultural centers, student groups, academic opportunities, and resource centers, through panels, performances, and tours. Join them for all or part of the day! Space is limited and advanced registration is required by going to https://apps.admissions.yale.edu/register/MOH2024 Additional Virtual Events This Fall: Join a Virtual Information Session co-hosted by an admissions officer and a Yale student. The live presentations cover academic programs, residential life, affordability, and application advice. Ask Yale students anything in a Virtual Student Forum - a live informal Q&A session with no admissions officers or parents. Up Close Virtual Sessions: Learn about part of the Yale experience in-depth, with Q&A from members of the Yale community. Rural & Small-Town Students - Thu Sep 26, 7pm EDT Performing Arts - Thu Oct 10, 7pm EDT Science & Engineering - Tue Oct 15, 7pm EDT Affordability & Financial Aid - Thu Oct 17, 7pm EDT There's lots more about financial aid, admissions, and student life at admissions.yale.edu. Get advice from admissions officers, take a virtual tour, read student blogs, and follow them on Instagram. For more information, please go to https://admissions.yale.edu/virtual-events
The Gorham High School Theatre Department will be hosting a Vintage Clothing Sale in the lobby TOMORROW, Thursday, September 19 during all lunch periods.
All proceeds will benefit the Theatre Department. All items CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!!
Cash only, come shop till you drop!
