Essay contest for Gerald Ford foundation asks students, ‘What has prepared you to serve?’

Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States and our only Eagle Scout president, assumed the highest office in our country under extraordinary circumstances: When Richard Nixon resigned, it was Vice President Ford’s duty to step up and serve.

“I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it,” Ford said in a speech broadcast live on radio and television just hours after Nixon’s resignation.

For its 2025 Student Writing Challenge, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation wants to know what has prepared today’s youth to follow Ford’s example.

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.

Though he did not seek the presidency, 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 of answering the call to serve, especially if the call is unexpected?

Submissions are open now. High school students across the country could win cash prizes up to $2,500 for the top essay.

Click here to learn more.

Gerald R. Ford (left) holds the U.S. flag as he and his fellow members of the Eagle Scout Guard of Honor prepare to raise the colors over Fort Mackinac at Mackinac Island State Park, Mich. The troop served as guides during the summer months of 1929.

Our only Eagle Scout president … so far

Ford earned the Eagle Scout award in 1927 as a member of Troop 15 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1970.

“It has recently been said that I am too much of a Boy Scout in the way I have conducted myself as president, and so I reviewed the Boy Scout laws and Boy Scout oath,” Ford said at the 1974 BSA Annual Awards Dinner. “They say that a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

“Well, if these are not the goals of the people of the United States, what they want their president to live up to, then I must draw this conclusion: Either you have the wrong man, or I have the wrong country. And I don’t believe either is so.”

Ford was succeeded as president by Jimmy Carter, who had his own ties to Scouting. Despite their political differences, Carter and Ford remained friends for years. In fact, Ford’s son Steve delivered the eulogy written by President Ford at Carter’s funeral.

When Ford died in 2006, 400 Eagle Scouts ages 15 to 85 lined the road to his presidential museum in Grand Rapids.

Ford, with other members of his Scout troop

What is the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation?

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the awareness of the life, career, values and legacy of Ford.

The Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge 2025 is open to U.S. students in grades 9 through 12. To enter, students must write a 500-750-word essay on the theme of what has prepared you to answer the call to serve, especially if the call came unexpectedly.

The first-place essay will earn the writer $2,500 plus a gift card for the student’s teacher. Second place is worth $1,500 plus the gift card. Third place is $1,000 plus the gift card.

Up to seven honorable mentions will receive $500 each.

Submissions to the Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge 2025 will be accepted through March 14, 2025, at 5 p.m. Eastern.

Click here for writing tips, resources, complete rules and a link for submissions.

Photos from Scouting America archives


About Aaron Derr 525 Articles
Aaron Derr is the senior editor of Scout Life and Scouting magazines, and also a former Cubmaster and Scouts BSA volunteer.