The deadline for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation’s annual student writing challenge is a week away. If you know a high school student who might want to enter, we have you covered.
Aaron on Scouting reached out to Candace Lee and Eric Newman, authors of the upcoming Scout-inspired adventure, George Goodwin, Dragon Slayer: A Scouting Legend, for tips on how to write a great essay and capture the $2,500 top prize.
Essays written by students in grades 9-12 will be considered.
Each year, the theme highlights a key aspect of President Ford’s character, encouraging thoughtful reflection on leadership, integrity and civic responsibility. America’s 38th president was an active supporter of Scouting and was recognized in 1970 with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award for service to the nation and community and again in 1995 with the Silver Buffalo Award for service to youth on the national level.
Many of these tips translate to writing assignments any young person might get in school.
Show these tips from Lee and Newman to any Scout interested in essay writing:
Slay the prompt: Read the rules and submission guidelines carefully. Double-check the deadline, word count and this year’s theme. Then make sure every paragraph points back to this question: How will you help advance our nation’s founding principles and contribute to building the more perfect union that our founders envisioned?
Study the greats: If past winning essays are available, read them. Notice their focus, clarity, personal perspective and how they use specific examples to make big ideas feel real.
Research like a pro: Great essays are built on strong research. Learn about President Ford’s life and his example of virtue-centered leadership. Be specific. Look for a compelling moment or decision in his life and connect it to your own commitment to lead with integrity. Details build credibility.
Find your big idea: Choose one founding principle and make it the backbone of your essay. It could be liberty, justice, courage, civic duty or another theme that hooks your imagination. What do you want your readers to remember? Now build every paragraph toward that goal. Clarity wins.
Show. Don’t tell: Just saying you value unity or freedom isn’t enough. Show us what that looks like! What will you do in your school, community or future career? The more specific, the better!
Rewrite like it’s your secret weapon: The pen is mightier than the sword, and editing is where you sharpen the blade. Great writers revise. Cut unnecessary words, and replace weak verbs.
Strengthen your closing: Make your argument clear, confident and focused. Then ask a teacher or a fellow word nerd to review. Write, review, revise and repeat!
