Essay & Slogan Contests

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a law that created an annual, statewide essay contest for Kentucky students grades 9 through 12 to be managed under the auspices of the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.   The purpose of this competition is to expand the civic awareness of students who are about to be eligible to vote in local, state and national elections and the importance of this essential element of our democratic society.  The Kentucky Secretary of State oversees the State Board of Elections which works with Kentucky’s 120 elected county clerks to manage voter registration and the election process.   (see KRS 117.900 for the law).

In 2005 the law makers added monetary awards for each winner with the funds raised by the Secretary of State’s office (public funds are not used for prize money).  For 2012 we are very pleased to welcome Houchens Industries, KEA Retired, Turner Construction, the University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center, and US Bank as contest supporters.  Without their generosity and interest in civic responsibility for all Kentuckians, the monetary awards would not be possible (contributions to the contest qualify as tax deductible). 

Through the years, a slogan contest for grades 6 through 8 was added to the competition. 
 
For the 2012 contest, we have expanded the disciplines that students may use to convey their interpretation of the essay prompt provided in the contest rules.  Since the law was passed in 1988--before any of the students who are eligible to participate were born--technology has had a huge impact on how we as citizens receive and present information.  This year’s contest attempts to conform better to some of the enormous change by adding some categories for admissions:

•Essay/blog
•Video essay
•Graphic/art
•Slam Poetry/dramatic reading-presentation

Contest welcomes entries produced by any student in Kentucky who meets the criteria of the specific entry category.

Winners will be notified no later than the end of March 2012.

Entries become the property of the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.

Winning entries will be posted on the Secretary of State’s website and may be used for other civic- related  material. 

To be considered by judges, entries must be:
 postmarked by Sunday January 15, 2012; or
 submitted electronically no later than 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Sunday January 15, 2012.

This form must be completed and submitted with each entry (mail or electronic).

Each entry will be judged on:

purpose of communication
idea development
organization
use of language
accuracy and evidence of subject comprehension

According to the law, winners will participate in a presentation that includes the Secretary of State or a representative of the office. 

Mailed entries must be addressed to:
 ATTN:  Secretary of State Essay Contest
  Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes
  700 Capital Avenue,  Suite 152
  Frankfort, KY  40601-4335

The Essay Contest awards a first place prize in 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade.  Each winner will receive $1500 cash or a $3000 savings bond.

All entries must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. (EST) Sunday, January 15, 2012 or postmarked by that day to be eligible for consideration.

Winners will be notified no later than March 2012.

Click here for more information and to enter the Essay Contest.

The Slogan Contest is open to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Awards will be given to the overall first, second, and third place winners.

First place will receive $500 cash or a $1,000 savings bond.
Second place will receive $300 cash or a $600 savings bond.
Third place will receive $200 cash or a $400 savings bond.

All entries must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. (EST) Sunday, January 15, 2012 or postmarked by that day to be eligible for consideration.

The top slogans will be online for the public to vote for their top choice.  Winners will be notified no later than March 2012.

Click here for more information and to enter the Slogan Contest.

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2011 Slogan and Essay Contests. These individuals are as follows:

Slogan Contest Winners
1st Place – Clare Kresse, J. Graham Brown School
Slogan – Your vote. Your choice. Kentucky's future.

2nd Place – Bailey Tungate, Lebanon Middle
Slogan – It's your freedom; Vote Kentucky!

3rd Place – James Jacobs, Saint Charles Middle
Slogan – Vote now or forever hold your peace.

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2011 Essay Contest. These individuals are as follows:

Essay Contest
9th Grade Winner – Natalie Farrar, Larue County High School

10th Grade Winner – Norb Wessels, Covington Catholic High School

11th Grade Winner – Travis Wilson, Grace Christian Homeschool

12th Grade Winner – Emily Hicks, Homeschool