Saint John Vianney High School (SJVHS) junior Jeffrey Nelson, of Sayreville, won first place in the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest. Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win. Each year the VFW runs an essay contest for two groups of students. One is the Patriot’s Pen for middle school students and the other is the VOD for high school students. Students can submit their essays to their local VFW post.

Jeffrey became involved in the Patriots Pen essay contest when he was in middle school at Our Lady of Victories School in Sayreville. He was required to enter this essay contest for 6th - 8th graders in middle school.  Once Jeffrey became a student SJVHS he was encouraged by his former teacher to participate in
the Voice of Democracy contest, this is his third year in the VOD contest.

This year the title for the VOD essay was My Responsibility to America. Each participant had to record their written essay. Jeffrey read his essay about Citizenship at the District Awards Luncheon on Sunday, January 8, 2017. Jeffrey won first place for District 8, and received a plaque, gold medal, and a monetary award. Jeffrey is now entered into the State Level Competition, which will be held on January 28, 2017, where he has the chance of becoming the New Jersey winner. The national prize for this contest is $25,000.

Jeffrey says, “In my essay, I wanted to point out that American responsibilities are not just to vote, pay taxes, and serve on jury duty, but to emphasize to treat people with common decency and respect, to respect and obey the laws, be a good person, and to respect our elders.  These are basic core values which are taught to us by our parents from the first day of life and these values must be passed down from generation to generation.”

Jeffrey is in the SJVHS National Honors Society, and plays Varsity Soccer, Track, and Baseball. He is also in the Key Club, the Ambassador Club, and the Physics Club. Jeffrey plans on attending college and would like to major in 3D Animation/Graphic Design and Visual Effects, he would also like to continue
playing soccer.

Outside of SJVHS, Jeffrey is a Boy Scout, altar server, and plays basketball for his grammar school's CYO
high school team.