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National essay contest for high schoolers: students write a 700-1,000 word essay analyzing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official serving since 1917, judged for cash prizes.
U.S. high school students grades 9-12 (public/private/parochial/home school), plus U.S. students under 20 in correspondence/GED programs and U.S. citizens at overseas schools. Essay must be 700-1,000 words with 5+ sources and a nominating teacher. Prizes: 1st $10,000, 2nd $3,000, 3 finalists $1,000 each, 15 honorable mentions. The 2026 contest has completed; per the official page, the 2027 contest opens September 1, 2027.
Verified Tuesday, August 11, 2026