John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest in USA: First-place: $10,000; Second-place: $3,000; Five Finalists: $1,000 each; Eight Semi-finalists: $100 each; All participants receive a Certificate of Participation.
In "Introduction to Courage," John F. Kennedy tells the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to do the right thing for the country. Despite pressure from interest groups, political parties and even voters, these leaders still demonstrated the political courage to defend the public interest. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest requires students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of the political values described by John F. Kennedy in "Introduction to Courage."
The maximum number of words is 1,000, and the minimum is 700, excluding citations or bibliography. Use at least five different sources, such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews.
The maximum word count is 1,000 with a minimum of 700, not including citations and bibliography. Use at least five varied sources such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews.
Contest Topic
Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national, or international level.
The Profile in Courage Essay Contest opens for submissions on September 1. The contest deadline is January 15.
Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and members of their families are not eligible to participate.
Few important notes:
Contest Requirements
The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; U.S. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories; and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas.
Important note: Before contacting the profile of Courage Essay Contest Coordinator, please be sure to read the FAQ section of this website.
Email: profiles@nara.gov
The winners will receive a cash prize of $ 10,000. If the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation personally hosts the 2022 Award of Courage informational event, the winner and their family will be invited to Boston in May 2022 to receive their awards. The student who wins the trip and lodging and their parents will pay for the trip to Boston.
Teachers nominated by the first prize winners were also invited to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library to receive the John F. Kennedy Presidential Award. Kennedy Public Service allocated $ 500 for school projects that foster student leadership and civic engagement. It will pay for travel and lodging to Boston.
All participants will receive a certificate of participation. Winners and finalists will be notified by April 30. All participants will receive a letter announcing the winners and finalists before the end of May.