SOMERSET, KY – Edward Brown, a former Rogers’ Scholar from The Center for Rural Development, has been named a winner in the 2005 National Voice of Democracy Program and recipient of the $1,000 scholarship award from the Department of Wyoming and its Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship fund.

“Edward is yet another Rogers’ Scholar being commended for outstanding accomplishments. Achievements like Edward’s show that our scholars are being recognized not only on a regional level but throughout the state and nationally as well,” said Jessica Melton, Program Coordinator for the Rogers Scholars Program.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor the Voice of Democracy audio-essay scholarship competition. The program is now in its 58th year and requires high school student entrants to write and record a three to five minute essay on an announced patriotic theme. “Celebrating Our Veterans’ Service” was this year’s theme.