Celebrate the JFK 100 by entering the 2017 Profile
in Courage Essay Contest
Contest Information
In Profiles in Courage,
John F. Kennedy recounted the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their
careers to do what was right for the nation. These leaders demonstrated
political courage by taking a stand for the public good in spite of pressure by
interest groups, their political party, or even their constituents. The Profile
in Courage Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and creative
essay that demonstrates an understanding of political
courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage.
Essay
topic:
Write an
original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of political
courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles
in Courage.
-
Describe and analyze an act of political
courage by a U.S elected official who served during or after 1917, the year of
JFK’S birth. The essay may focus on an issue at the local, state, national or
international level.
-
Use at least five varied, reliable sources
such as books, articles documents, and personal interviews. Participants are
encouraged to use primary source material such as letters, speeches, and
government documents.
Guidelines:
-
Subject must be an elected official in
the United States who served during or after 1917. Students are encouraged to
choose an original subject and tell a story that has not yet been told
-
Essays can be no more than 1,000 words
but must be a minimum of 700 words
-
Essays must include a bibliography of at
least five varied, reliable sources.
-
John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and
Edward M. Kennedy are not eligible subjects for essays
Awards
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First place: $20,000
-
Second place: $1,000
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Five finalists: $500
-
Eighteen Centennial Awards of $100 each
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The nominating teacher of the first-place
winner will receive the John F. Kennedy Public Service grant of $500 to encourage
student leadership and civic engagement.
Eligibility
-
United States high school students in
grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home
schools are eligible.
-
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 are eligible.
-
Past winners and finalists are not
eligible to participate.
-
Employees of John Hancock and members of
their families are not eligible.
Contest
Registration and Submission:
All students must register online.
Essays can be submitted online (preferred) or via regular mail by the postmark
date of January 4, 2017
For
complete guidelines, visit the Profile in Courage Essay Contest at:
