Contests+and+Scholarships


 * Government and Civics-Related Contests**

VFW "Voice of Democracy" Contest- This voice-recorded essay contest invites students to answer the question, "
 * "Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?"** Prizes range from $1,000-30,000. Deadline is November 1, 2011.

Freedom First Student Competition: An essay and video competition focusing on the history and current-day relevance of religious freedom, and then, by written essay or video production, present their evaluation. $2,500 prize awards. Deadline: November 14, 2011

Americanism Essay Contest: What Freedom of Speech Means to Me. Prizes range from $2,000-10,000 in US Savings Bonds. Deadline: December 1, 2011.

Being an American! Essay Contest - Write an essay of 1,000 words or less answering the question: How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty? From the Bill of Rights Institute. Prizes range from $250- $1000. Deadline, December 15.

JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest - Write an original, creative essay of 1,000 words or less focusing on a political demonstration of courage. Scholarships range from $500-10,000. Deadline is January 7, 2012.

C-SPAN StudentCam 2012: The Constitution and You. Select a provision of the Constitution and make a video on why it is important to you. Work alone or in groups of 2 or 3. Prizes range from $250-5,000. Details are on the website. Contest deadline January 21, 2012.

Calling artists: Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program- Design the 2013 Junior Duck Stamp. Details are here, read them carefully (begin with the pdf with contest and entry guidelines). National winners, prizes up to $5000. Winner at any level, resume builder for sure. If you select this option, for our class, also plan to submit to Ms. Wolfe an overview of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, how much funding it receives from the federal government, and what special programs it has that are associated with the Junior Duck Stamp.

Enter the Minnesota DNR Competition to design the 2013 Turkey stamp. Entries are accepted from Dec. 15-30. If you select this option, for our class, also plan to submit to Ms. Wolfe an overview of the DNR, how much funding it receives from the MN government, and what special programs it has that are associated with the Turkey Stamp.

American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Program - Focusing on how automatic fire sprinklers save lives and property, this essay contest helps the writer learn how. Prizes range from $1,000-4,000. Deadline: April 5, 2012.

Give it a shot!! A contest to win a free book, "May It Amuse the Court: Editorial Cartoons of the Supreme Court and Constitution" by submitting the winning caption for the competition. Contest is ongoing, dates are posted on the website.


 * Details not yet published:**

A Legacy in Leadership: The Ronald Reagan Essay Contest. - This contest encourages students to explore the leadership, legacies and values of America’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan. The 2011-2012 essay question and details should be posted soon. Prizes range from $500-5,000.

President George Bush Art and Essay Contest - Past winners are posted. 2011-2012 contest information should be posted soon.

President Gerald R. Ford Essay Contest - Past contest topics and winners are posted. 2011-2012 contest information will be posted soon.

American Legion Oratorical Contest This contest focuses on academic speaking, leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long; three- to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest. Minnesota contest details for 2012 are not yet posted. This is an overview of the national competition, click "Local" for MN contest information. Scholarships range from $500-18,000.

//True, nothing to do with government, but a big prize!!! :)// JIF Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest - Winning recipes submitted receive college funds of $2,500-25,000! Deadline for submission: October 12, 2011.
 * Contests which have expired for 2011-2012**

For College Freshmen: President Lincoln Essay Contest - Past contest topics and winners are posted. 2011-2012 contest information will be posted soon.