President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge
The President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge is now accepting submissions from 9-12th grade students in the United States to compete for a top prize of $2,500.
To enter, write a 500-750 word essay on the theme: In your life, what has prepared you to follow Gerald Ford’s example of answering the call to serve, especially if the call is unexpected?
On August 9, 1974, Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States, making him the first person in American history to assume the office neither being elected to it nor the vice presidency.
In his remarks after taking the oath of office he said: “I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances never before experienced by Americans. This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts. … I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it. Those who nominated and confirmed me as Vice President were my friends and are my friends. They were of both parties, elected by all the people and acting under the Constitution in their name. It is only fitting then that I should pledge to them and to you that I will be the President of all the people.”
Though he did not seek the Presidency, Gerald Ford recognized it as, “a duty to be done,” and he answered the call to serve his country. He had his doubts, but he did not hesitate.
In your life, what has prepared you to follow Gerald Ford’s example? When your friends, family, school, or community might ask you to step up and help, especially for a duty you are reluctant to embrace, will you be prepared to answer the call to service?
Submissions will be accepted through March 14, 2025, 5 PM EDT.
President Ford & Answering the Call to Service
Great essays are grounded in President Ford’s service to our nation. These essays demonstrate that the writer knows about Ford’s life and virtue-centered leadership—and connects that knowledge to how the writer will follow Ford’s example. Check out last year’s winning entries as examples.
Some great resources to learn about President Ford are:
Read a biography of President Ford. Some good biographies can be found here, here, and here.
Watch President Ford’s swearing in here or read the transcript of his speech here.
Watch a presentation from President Ford’s friends and family on his impact as president here.
Read what others have said about President Ford’s service here.
Visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, MI or the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, MI.
Contest Rules and Guidelines
Students entering the 2025 President Ford Student Writing Challenge are competing for the following prizes:
First Place: $2,500 plus a gift card for the student’s teacher
Second Place: $1,500 plus a gift card for the student’s teacher
Third Place: $1,000 plus a gift card for the student’s teacher
Up to seven Honorable Mentions: $500 each
Important rules to remember are:
Limit one entry per student, per school year. Household members and/or children of the employees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation are not eligible.
Essays should be 500-750 words.
A title page is required for each entry. It should include the following: student name, address, phone number, e-mail, grade, school, teacher’s name, school address and school phone.
Essays must be single-sided and double-spaced, using black ink. They should also include one-inch margins.
Judges will determine legibility of fonts and hand-written entries.All submissions must be the original work of the submitting student. Plagiarism, including the use of artificial intelligence, will result in disqualification.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation reserves the right to amend or interpret the scholarship essay rules, and to make decisions concerning the awards in situations not covered by these rules.
Participation in the contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of all official rules and guidelines, including eligibility requirements.
Read the complete list of rules here.
Entries must be submitted by March 14, 2025, 5 PM, EDT. Late entries will not be accepted. Winning entrants will be notified on or around April 30, 2025.
Contact Us
Do you have questions? Send them our way!
Don Cooper
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
303 Pearl Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5353
Phone: (616) 254-0370
E-mail: education@38foundation.org
Website: www.geraldrfordfoundation.org
Find Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/geraldrford
Download Our Flyer
Download and share this flyer with teachers and students who may be interested.
