Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3804 in Picayune are giving back to the community’s youth.

Monday, Commander Ronald Lowe awarded VFW’s $100 Voice of Democracy scholarship to a ninth-grade student from Picayune, Madeline Helena Hays.

Hays wrote an essay on this year’s topic, “My vision for America.” The post committee chose her essay unanimously out of five other local entries, Lowe said.

“Hers leapt out at us. She’s an outstanding young woman,” Lowe said.

Since 1947, the scholarship has been awarded to high school students across the U.S. On an annual basis, nearly 40,000 students nationwide compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic topic.

Hays said she focused her essay on what she envisions as the average family and how family serves as the backbone for a healthy society.

“At my house, we always talk about extensive topics, so I decided to write about that,” Hays said.

Hays, who’s homeschooled by her mom, Michelle, drew much of her inspiration from her large family. She has seven siblings.

Michelle said she’s “so proud of her.”

Since Hays passed the post level, her essay is eligible to compete on a district level, then state and national level. The top national scholarship is worth $30,000.

Hays hopes to reach the national level in order to save money for college. She plans to major in a science-related field such as anatomy or biology.

Lowe encourages local high school students to apply for next year’s competition.

“I’d like to see more people participating. We get some from Picayune high, but we’d like to see more from Pearl River Central as well,” Lowe said.

For more information about next year’s scholarship opportunities, contact Lowe at 228-304-0747.