Empowering the Next Generation: Essay Contest for High School Juniors

Empowering the Next Generation:
Essay Contest for High School Juniors

December 22, 2025 – Montgomery
County, Texas – The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, a non-partisan
group which empowers voters, has sponsored an essay contest for public high
school juniors with the theme “We the People: The Power is in Your Hands.” This
contest invites students to explore the profound impact their voices can have
in shaping our democracy.

Students will compete for cash
prizes, with a grand prize of $500 awarded to the first-place winner and an added
$100 for their teacher. The second-place winner will receive $250 while the
third-place winner will take home $100.

Essays, limited to 500 words and
formatted as double-spaced Word documents, should address the prompt and highlight
the students’ unique perspectives. To ensure an impartial judging process,
participants must include their name and school in the email subject line but
should not include identifying information in the essay itself. Judges will
evaluate essays using four criteria worth 25 points each.

1. Clarity of
Message

2. Impact

3. Creativity and
Originality

4. Craftsmanship
and Organization

Students can email essays to essays@lmvmoco.org. The deadline for
entries is January 19, 2026. On February 8, 2026, the League will notify
winners. Reading of the winning essays and distribution of prizes will take
place at “Together 2026” on March 28, 2026, at the Woodlands Center of Sam
Houston State University, 3380 College Park Drive. The League encourages all public
high school juniors to participate and share their voices.

Key Details:

Deadline for Entries: January
19, 2026

Submission Email: essays@lmvmoco.org

Winners Announced: February 8,
2026

Awards Ceremony: March 28, 2026

Location:

Woodlands Center

Sam Houston State
University

3380 College Park
Dr

The Woodlands, TX
77382

We encourage all eligible students
to take part and share their voices!

About the League:

The League of Women Voters,
Montgomery County (LWV MoCo) is committed to empowering individuals to engage
with the democratic process.

Media Contact: feliciawilson@gmail.com

League of Women Voters Montgomery
County

Email: essays@lmvmoco.org