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Essay Submission

The submission deadline has passed. Results will be announced on May 31, 2026.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Complete Rules

Essay Requirements

  • Length: 500-1,000 words
  • Topic: Must address one of the four prompts
  • Originality: Essays must be students’ own work. Plagiarism or AI-generated content will be disqualified.
  • Interview: Students whose submissions reach the final phase of judging must take part in brief remote interviews to discuss their essays. Students must have some availability during the week of May 17-23.

Eligibility & Divisions

  • Middle School Division: Grades 5-8
  • High School Division: Grades 9-12
  • Residency: U.S., Canada, or U.S. military address