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2025 VSBA Student Essay Contest |
The Virginia School Boards Association is holding a personal essay/speaking contest where the winner will present before an audience of more than 200 school board members and administrators at the 2025 VSBA Conference on Education held at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump on July 25, 2025.
This is the fifth year the Virginia School Boards Association will hold this contest. We hope that this contest will bring out the very best in students’ writing and speaking efforts and allow our attendees to witness examples of the bright, thoughtful, and accomplished students from around the Commonwealth. This year's topic is Champions for Impact.
This is the fifth year the Virginia School Boards Association will hold this contest. We hope that this contest will bring out the very best in students’ writing and speaking efforts and allow our attendees to witness examples of the bright, thoughtful, and accomplished students from around the Commonwealth. This year's topic is Champions for Impact.
This year, the winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, sponsored by Haney Phinyowattanachip, PLLC. Submissions are open to all 2024-2025 Virginia public high school students (grades 9-12) in divisions that are members of the VSBA. This contest is a great opportunity for students to share their unique voices as well as compete for funds to further their education.
The contest offers the following incentives:
The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a certificate to be presented at the 2025 VSBA Conference on Education.
The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a certificate to be presented at the 2025 VSBA Conference on Education.
* The first-place winner is required to attend the 2025 VSBA Conference on Education to be recognized and to present their essay as a speech. Their essay will also be recognized on the VSBA website and in an issue of the VSBA Newsletter.
* The first-place winner also has the option to attend the 2025 Student School Board Representative Workshop, held on November 19, 2025, before the start of the 2025 VSBA Annual Convention.
* The first-place winner also has the option to attend the 2025 Student School Board Representative Workshop, held on November 19, 2025, before the start of the 2025 VSBA Annual Convention.
TO ENTER: Begin by completing the application form that follows. Instructions for submitting the essay and the video of your speech are found in the email your school board received. Be sure to read and follow all of the guidelines for the essay and speech that came with the email about the contest. Noncompliance to these guidelines or incomplete applications will disqualify your entry from consideration.
THE DEADLINE TO ENTER IS MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025 by 4:00pm.
OTHER QUESTIONS/INFORMATION
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact VSBA by emailing communications@vsba.org or by calling 434-295-8722.