Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students
President John F. His book, Profiles in Courage, published in 1956, recounts the stories of eight U.S. Senators who risked their careers by taking principled stands for unpopular positions. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites United States high school students to consider the concept of political courage by writing an essay on a U
.S. elected official who has chosen to do what is right, rather than what is expedient. A “Profile in Courage” essay is a carefully researched recounting of a story: the story of how an elected official risked his or her career to take a stand based on the dictates of conscience, rather than the dictates of polls, interest groups or even constituents. The contest challenges high school students to discover new profiles in courage, and to therefore research and write about acts of political courage that occurred after the publication of Kennedy's Profiles in Courage in 1956. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest meets several National Standards in Social Studies and English and offers a meaningful opportunity for students to develop and enhance research, writing and critical thinking skills while they deepen their understanding and appreciation of politics and history. Students are asked to write an original and creative essay following these guidelines:
•Demonstrate an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage.
•Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official that occurred during or after 1956. Include the obstacles, dangers, and pressures the elected official encountered as a result of his or her actions.
•Word count is 1,000 words or less. Citations and bibliography are not included in word count.
•Bibliography of five or more varied, reliable sources including one non-internet source.
•Essays must be the original work of the student
For complete contest guidelines and requirements please visit:
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest.aspx
Eligibility:
•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.
•U.S. citizens attending schools overseas.
•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. Recognition and Awards:
•First place: $10,000 prize – a $5,000 cash award and $5,000 to grow in a John Hancock Freedom 529 College Savings Plan. The winner is invited to accept the award at the Profile in Courage Award ceremony hosted each May by Caroline Kennedy at the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Travel and lodging expenses are covered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
•Second place: A second place winner receives a $1,000 cash award.
•Finalists: Up to five finalists each receive a $500 cash award. All winners receive a hardcover copy of Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy.
•The nominating teacher receives of the first-place winner receives a John F. Kennedy Public Service Grant in the amount of $500, and is also invited to attend the Profile in Courage Award ceremony, with travel and lodging expenses paid. All participants receive a Certificate of Participation. Deadlines:
•Essay submissions for the 2013 contest will be accepted starting September 1, 2012.
•The contest deadline is Saturday, January 5, 2013. To find out more, please visit: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest.aspx
