Calling All Young Patriots! Enter to Win Our Vision of Liberty Scholarship Competition

Submissions will be accepted beginning March 1!

Are you ready to showcase your creativity, critical thinking, and love for liberty?

The Goldwater Institute’s Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy is excited to announce the Spring 2025 Vision of Liberty Scholarship Competition! This is your chance to dive into America’s founding principles, make your voice heard, and earn up to $1,000 in scholarship prizes. Plus, your teachers (including homeschool educators) can win up to $500 in bonuses!

What’s the Challenge?

We’re looking for middle and high school students (grades 7-12) to explore one or more key Constitutional concepts in a way that highlights their importance and relevance today. You can choose to write an essay or create a video—whichever best showcases your passion for freedom!

Choose Your Topic:

• Federalism 
• The Bill of Rights
• Separation of Powers

Submission Categories:

Students can submit in one or both of the following categories:

• Option 1: Non-Fiction Essay (1,500-2,500 words)
• Option 2: Educational Video (3-5 minutes)

Scholarship Awards:

• 1st Place: $1,000 student award + $500 teacher award
• 2nd Place: $500 student award + $250 teacher award
• 3rd Place: $200 student award + $100 teacher award

Key Dates:

• Submissions Open: March 1, 2025
• Deadline to Enter: May 31, 2025

Students may submit one entry per category (essay or video), so take this opportunity to show off your best work!

How Do I Enter?

You’re in the right place! The submission portal will open on March 1.

Questions?

Reach out to Tbonin@goldwaterinstitute.org for any inquiries.

This is your chance to explore the principles of liberty, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and win scholarship awards! Don’t miss out—start brainstorming your Vision of Liberty today.

Vision of Liberty Scholarship Competition

Contestant's Name(Required)

First Last

Parent/Guradian Name(Required)

First Last

Contestant's Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Parent/Guardian's Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

School Name(Required)

Referring Teacher's Name(Required)

First Last

Referring Teacher's Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Judging Criteria:

1. Content Accuracy: Correct and thorough understanding of the topic. Clear and accurate presentation of historical facts and concepts. 2. Creativity: Unique approach to the subject matter; innovative use of narrative or visual techniques. 3. Engagement and Clarity: Ability to captivate and hold the audience’s attention; clear, coherent message. 4. Technical Quality: Grammar, style, and adherence to formatting guidelines (essays) and production quality (videos). 5. Educational Value: Effectiveness in teaching the topic to fellow students; usefulness of the content in enhancing understanding of the selected principles of the American founding. 6. Relevance to a modern audience: Effectiveness at using examples or analogies that connect to the life of students or the public today to make clear the foresight and relevance of these principles of America’s constitutional government.

Submission Requirements:

Text submissions must be uploaded as a PDF and titled [last name, first name]. Please also title all video submissions with [last name, first name].

File(Required)

Max. file size: 256 MB.

Parental Consent(Required)

By submitting your entry, you confirm that you are the parent or legal guardian of the person who submitted this entry, that you are aware of the submission, the nature of the competition, and that you consent to the use of the submitter’s essay or video entry as part of the contest.

I agree to the competition terms and conditions.

Parental Signature(Required)

Licensing Agreement(Required)

By entering the competition, participants acknowledge that if selected as a winner, they will be required to sign a licensing agreement granting the Goldwater Institute the right to use, publish, and distribute the winning essay or video, along with the winner's name, in any form or media, including but not limited to print, digital, or online platforms. This agreement ensures that the Goldwater Institute can promote, share, and use the winning work in alignment with the goals of the competition. Winners must agree to these terms before their entry is officially recognized.

I agree to the competition terms and conditions.

Licensing Agreement Parental Signature(Required)

1099 Requirement(Required)

Winners of the contest who receive $600 or more will be issued a form 1099-MISC. The completion of a form W-9 by the winner will be required to receive their prize winnings.

I agree to the competition terms and conditions.

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