For Teachers
WRITING CAN BE meaningful
Students who can express connections to history find meaning in their writing. With support from teachers, students can create a personal narrative, reflecting their authentic selves.
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This contest takes place at the beginning of each school year. Inform your students of the writing contest during the first weeks of school.
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Set apart a one-hour time to allow students to write their essay. This essay should not be a polished homework assignment, but rather a language sample opportunity with a one-hour time limit (see rules).
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Submit your class’s essays by the deadline: October 30, 2026.
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Awards - Essays will be judged by a committee of educators and historians. There will be four winners, one from each of the following categories: Family Legacy, Community Impact, Historic Account, Biography.
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Essay winners will receive $75, presented at their school. The winning essays will be announced at the students' schools in mid-November, and published in the biannual WRHC Collected Papers which is also permanently archived in BHSU Archives and Special Collections, accessible online.