JFK Profile in Courage Essay

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest is a prestigious competition that invites U.S. high school students to explore and analyze acts of political courage by U.S. elected officials. The contest is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and offers significant recognition and monetary awards.

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📝 Contest Overview

• Essay Prompt: Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917. The essay should include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The official may have addressed an issue at the local, state, national, or international level.

• Eligibility: Open to U.S. high school students in grades 9–12, including those in public, private, parochial, or home schools; U.S. students under the age of 20 enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program; and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas. Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate.

• Essay Requirements:

  • Length: Between 700 and 1,000 words (excluding citations and bibliography).

  • Sources: A minimum of five varied sources, such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews.

  • Originality: Essays must be the original work of the student. Essays are checked for AI assistance and are disqualified if AI is detected at any point in the essay or bibliography.

  • Format: Accepted citation styles include APA, MLA, or Turabian. 

• Teacher Nominator: Each student must have a nominating teacher who provides support and advice during the writing process. The nominating teacher is also responsible for reviewing the essay for syntax, grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors. The first-place winner and their nominating teacher will be invited to receive awards at the annual Profile in Courage Award ceremony held at the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. 

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🏆 Awards

• First Place: $10,000

• Second Place: $3,000

• Finalists: Five finalists will receive $1,000 each.

• Semifinalists: Ten semifinalists will receive $100 each.

• Honorable Mentions: Eight students will receive honorable mention. 

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📅 Important Dates

• Contest Opens: September 1, 2024

• Submission Deadline: January 17, 2025, by 11:59 PM (EST)

• Winner Notification: By April 30, 2025

• Award Ceremony: Date to be announced 

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💡 Tips for a Strong Submission

• Choose an Original Subject: Select a U.S. elected official who is not commonly written about. Avoid writing about John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, or senators featured in Profiles in Courage. Writing about past recipients of the Profile in Courage Award is also discouraged unless the essay describes a different act of political courage.

• Demonstrate Understanding of Political Courage: Ensure your essay reflects an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage. Highlight how the elected official took a stand for the public good despite pressure from interest groups, their political party, or constituents.

• Conduct Thorough Research: Use a variety of sources to support your analysis. Ensure all sources are credible and properly cited. Avoid using AI-generated content, as essays are checked for AI assistance and disqualified if detected.

• Write Clearly and Engagingly: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Engage the reader with compelling storytelling and analysis. 

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For more information and to apply, visit the official JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest page.