Theme, Rules & Timeline

THEME: 2025 President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge

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.

Rules & Submission Process

For All Submissions:

• A title page is required for each entry. This page should be separate from the entry. Do not begin the text of your submission on the title page. It should include the following: student name, address, phone number, e-mail, grade, school, teacher’s name, teacher’s email address, school address.

• We use a blind judging process. Please do not include your name or other identifying information on the pages of your submission, with the exception of your title page.

• Limit one entry per student, per school year. Students entering more than one submission will be disqualified.

• Students in grades 9-12 are qualified to enter.

• Essays must be single-sided and double-spaced, using black ink. They should also include one-inch margins.

• All submissions must be the original work of the submitting student. Plagiarism will result in disqualification and will be reported to the student’s school. More than one student submitting the same work will result in disqualification of all identical work.

• Judges will determine legibility of fonts and hand-written entries.

• The sponsors reserve the right to 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.

• No late entries will be accepted. (Submissions will be accepted through March 14, 2025, 5 PM EDT.)