chancellor's essay contest winner scholarship

Winners of Chancellor's English Essay Prize 2022 Announced

We are delighted to announce that Francesca Gardner and George Adams have been named the joint winners of the Chancellor's English Essay Prize 2022. This year's subject was 'Light' and the two winning entries,  Making Light of Essays   (Francesca Gardner) and  Hail Holy Light, "Offspring of Heaven first-born"   (George Adams), are now available to read online.  

The Chancellor’s English Essay Prize is open to members of the University within four years of matriculation on the closing date for the receipt of submissions. Entries should not exceed 12,500 words in length.

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Lone Star College Foundation recognizes Chancellor’s Essay Contest winners at annual Donor Appreciation Lunch

By: Royelyn Bastian | Published 02/24/2023

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SIU Carbondale awards 35 Chancellor and Provost Scholarships for 2021-2022

Southern Illinois University | Wednesday, April 10, 2024

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SIU Carbondale Chancellor Scholarship Program recipients – Chancellor Austin Lane (center), Meera Komarraju, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs (left of Chancellor Lane) and LaShonda Stewart, Chancellor Scholarship program director (far left, front row) stand with the 2021 SIU Chancellor Scholarship Program recipients.  (Photos by Yenitza Melgoza)

September 15, 2021

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Exceptional efforts in the classroom and in their communities helped this year’s scholars at Southern Illinois University Carbondale stand out from their peers.

The Chancellor’s Scholarship, SIU’s most prestigious freshman award, is a significant achievement for the students as it covers tuition, mandatory fees, room and board for four years. The 28 students who are receiving this year’s awards, were selected from a pool of over 500 applicants who competed for this year’s award, SIU’s largest number of applicants for this award in six years.

The Provost’s Scholarship, SIU’s most prestigious transfer student award, is a significant achievement for transfer students as it covers tuition and mandatory fees for two years. The seven recipients were among 136 applicants who competed for the scholarship.

The selections were based on students’ academic credentials, an essay and a virtual interview. The applicants also have a record of leadership in their communities and participation in numerous extracurricular activities. All scholars are welcomed as members of the Chancellor’s Scholars Program , where they participate in campus leadership and service to SIU and the Carbondale community and participate in a variety of enrichment opportunities.

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• Youth & Education

Youth Scholarships

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

Voice of Democracy

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, download the  2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

About the 2023-2024 winner ...

Sophia Lin, a high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Sophia's speech on the theme, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" won her a $35,000 college scholarship. Sophia was sponsored by Scottsdale VFW Post 3513. Watch as Sophia delivered her speech during the VFW's Parade of Winners award  ceremony or read it here .

Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full Parade of Winners ceremony which was streamed live on Facebook, or see this year's complete list of winners .

Patriot's Pen

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Before submitting your essay,  download the 2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Bryant Day, an eighth grade student from Ashland, Ohio, was named the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen first place winner. His essay on the theme, "How Are You Inspired by America?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Bryant was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio.

Watch as Bryant delivered his winning essay during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live on Facebook, or read  his essay here.  See the complete list of 2024 national winners .

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2023-2024 VOD Winners

Voice of democracy entry form, voice of democracy national scholarship listing, 2023-2024 patriot's pen winners, patriot's pen entry form, patriot's pen national scholarship listing, sponsor a youth scholarship.

Merit Scholarship Opportunities

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Chancellor's Scholars

Mission and history.

Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt initiated the Chancellor's Scholars in 1985 to recognize students with outstanding leadership, strength of character, academic achievement, and a deep-seated commitment to diversity and social justice. Chancellor's Scholars have worked to build strong high school communities by bridging gaps among economically, socially, and racially diverse groups and have demonstrated significant interest in issues of diversity education, tolerance, and social justice. Chancellor's Scholars are expected to build upon these earlier commitments through continued active engagement in academic and leadership opportunities at Vanderbilt. The program is funded with gifts from alumni, faculty, staff, students, corporations, and friends.

Scholarship Benefits

Chancellor's Scholars receive full tuition, plus a one-time summer stipend for an immersive experience following the sophomore or junior year. Vanderbilt will provide additional need-based financial aid to those Chancellor's Scholarship recipients whose demonstrated financial need exceeds the amount of full tuition. Scholarships are renewed each year as long as the recipient maintains at least a 3.0 GPA.

Application and Selection

The Chancellor's Scholarship application is strongly encouraged; preference is given to those who apply. Applicants apply via MyAppVU after submitting admission application. Chancellor 's Scholars are selected on the basis of commitment to diversity, leadership, strength of character, and academic achievement. Strong candidates are intellectually curious and able to articulate their ideas clearly. In evaluating candidates, the selection committee reviews the Chancellor's Scholarship application along with the entire application for first year admission.

Learn how to apply  for our signature scholarships, find more information about  other merit-based scholarships , and get answers to  frequently asked questions.

• Coal City University (CCU) 2024 Annual Essay Contest for Nigerian Students

Published: 10 Apr 2024 138 views

Coal City University Chancellors’ annual essay contest is organized to encourage students develop their writing skills, build confidence, and showcase their creativity. It helps to increase awareness of current global issues among the young population. It aims to encourage and awaken the young mind’s initiative and capacity for creative thoughts toward sustainable development. In addition, the essay contest also seeks to get society to learn from the students and to recognize that it is our collective responsibility to address these issues.

Theme: SOCIAL MEDIA

In today’s interconnected world, social media has emerged as a powerful force shaping the lives of young people everywhere. All around the globe, youths are navigating the complex landscape of social media, where virtual connections transcend geographical boundaries and digital interactions carry profound implications for their identities, relationships, and futures. As you embark on this journey of exploration and introspection, we invite you to delve into the multifaceted impact of social media on youths; a topic that resonates not only within our communities but also across the global stage. Together, let us unravel the complexities, confront the challenges, and envision the possibilities of social media’s influence on the vibrant tapestry of Nigerian youth culture.

CCU Essay Competition

Benefits of ccu essay competition, requirements for ccu essay competition, selection process, application deadline, how to apply.

To encourage participation and reward excellence, the proposed prizes would be awarded:

• First Prize: 500,000 naira or Full tuition fee scholarship in Coal City University for any choice of course and a Certificate of Achievement
• Second Prize: 250,000 naira and a Certificate of Achievement
• Third Prize: 150,000 naira and a Certificate of Achievement
• All Shortlisted Students: Consolation prizes and a Certificate of Participation
• Other Awards (Best School Award, School Incentive Award) will be given if applicable.
• Any student in Senior Secondary School (SS1-SS3) who registers for the contest may submit an essay.
• The essay’s length should be between 700-1000 words, and the title of the essay and the author’s name should be typed at the top of the first page (these are not included in the word count limit).
• The essay should be in British English.
• Participants should submit their registration and entry online via the University’s website,  ccu.edu.ng . Only one entry per person will be accepted.
• Submissions must be original, and plagiarised essays will be rejected.
• Co-authored essays will not be accepted.
• The organizers would be assigned the copyright of the entered essays.
• The deadline for submission is May 6, 2024 (11:59 pm WAT), and participants must strictly adhere to it.

The essay contest selection procedure will be as follows:

• Registration: Interested students will register for the contest by filling out a registration form, which will be available on the school’s website (www.ccu.edu.ng). The registration form will include the student’s name, school, grade level, contact information, and a confirmation that they have read and understood the guidelines.
• Submission: Students will be required to submit their essays via the school’s website (www.ccu.edu.ng) by the deadline for submission, May 6, 2024.
• Judging: The essays will be judged by a panel of judges who will evaluate the submissions based on the criteria outlined above. The judges will consist of a team of Professionals who will evaluate the essays anonymously. All submissions will be given equal consideration.
• Shortlisting: The judges will shortlist the top 20 essays based on their quality, relevance, originality, and coherence. These essays will be ranked based on their scores, and the top 20 essays will be selected for the second round of the competition.
• Invitation: The top 20 essay finalists will be invited to make an oral presentation or discuss their essays in front of the judges and a selected audience, which may include stakeholders, scholars, principals, parents, teachers, and fellow students. The second round of selection involving oral presentations provides an opportunity for finalists to showcase their writing skills and ability to communicate effectively.
• Guidelines: Guidelines will be provided to the finalists regarding the presentation format and duration, as well as any materials they may require.
• Evaluation: The judges will evaluate the oral presentations based on the same criteria used in the previous rounds of selection. The finalists will be judged on their ability to communicate their ideas, engage the audience, and respond to questions, which provides a more comprehensive assessment of their overall abilities.
• Final Ranking: The final ranking will be determined based on the combined scores from the previous round of selection and the oral presentation. The essay with the highest score will be declared the winner of the contest, and the second and third places will also be awarded.
• Award Ceremony: The winners will be announced during the award ceremony, and they will receive their prizes in the presence of stakeholders, scholars, principals, parents, teachers, and fellow students. The award ceremony is proposed to hold at the University Auditorium, on July 24, 2024.

Notification of Shortlisted Students:  The students will be notified by email and/or SMS. The names of the winners may also be published on the school’s website and social media platforms by June 12, 2024.

Essay Topic: “Social Media As a Double-Edged Sword”

Essay Prompt:

In an era defined by hashtags, likes, and viral trends, youths find themselves at the crossroads of opportunity and adversity in the digital realm of social media. As a senior secondary school student navigating this dynamic landscape, reflect on the following questions in your essay:

• How does social media influence the construction of your identity and the expression of your individuality? Explore how social media platforms shape your perceptions of self, aspirations, and sense of belonging within Nigerian society.
• How do social media platforms impact your relationships with peers, family, and loved ones in a world where friendships are forged through screens and love stories? Reflect on the strengths and limitations of digital connections in fostering meaningful interpersonal bonds.
• Amid the curated perfection of Instagram feeds and the relentless scroll of TikTok videos, how do you navigate the pressures and pitfalls of social media on your mental health? Share your experiences with comparison culture, cyberbullying, and the quest for validation in the digital age.
• As agents of change in Nigeria’s evolving socio-political landscape, how does social media empower you to amplify your voice, advocate for social justice, and mobilize your peers for collective action? Consider the role of digital activism in driving positive social change and challenging entrenched power structures.
• What ethical considerations and digital literacy skills are essential for responsible social media use? Discuss strategies for fostering critical thinking, empathy, and online civility amidst the proliferation of misinformation and online toxicity.

In your essay, draw upon personal anecdotes, scholarly research, and cultural insights to deepen your understanding of the topic. Embrace your unique perspective, challenge prevailing narratives, and envision a future where social media catalyzes positive transformation in Nigerian society.

The purpose of this essay is to raise awareness about the positive and negative impacts of Social Media on Nigerian youths. We want you as you write this essay, to take time to deeply reflect on your points, internalize the material, and be prepared to share your findings with peers. If your essay is selected for an award, you may be invited to the award ceremony where you will present and discuss it.

For more details, visit CCU website

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Congressional Seminar Scholarship – Essay Contest

Win an opportunity to attend an all expenses paid, six-day seminar in Washington, D.C. where you will:

• hear from members of Congress and other high-ranking officials
• meet state representatives and senators
• tour government buildings and foreign embassies
• visit local historic sites, monuments and memorials
• spend time with high school students from all over the country who share your interests
• learn about a future in government and international relations or how you can become more involved in the electoral process

Eligibility

Participants must be Illinois students currently in their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school during the time of the program.

How? Just write an essay on this topic: “The Electoral College was established in the U.S. Constitution as the election process for the President and Vice President. Support retaining the Electoral College, or propose and support another system to operate in its place.”

Download the NSCDA Essay Contest Application .

The deadline to submit the essays is December 1st. Illinois students should send their completed applications and essays, either electronically or by post to  Mrs. Joan Shannahan, 10 South Green Bay Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045-3052  |    Email: [email protected].

Please review  Essay Rules and Information to make sure your submission complies with all rules.

Winners will be notified by March 31st.

Don’t miss out on this incredible scholarship opportunity.    Download the NSCDA Essay Contest Application .

2022 Essay Topic

“The Electoral College was established in the U.S. Constitution as the election process for the President and Vice President. Support retaining the Electoral College, or propose and support another system to operate in its place.”

DEADLINE: December 1

Essays are due by December 1.    Please review  Essay Rules and Information to make sure your submission complies with all rules.

SEND COMPLETED APPLICATION BY DECEMBER 1

Illinois students should send their completed applications and essays, either electronically or by regular mail to:

Mrs. Joan Shannahan

10 South Green Bay Road, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-3052

Email: [email protected]

Contest Winners

The Illinois winners of the essay contest are awarded a scholarship to attend a week-long Washington Workshops Foundation Congressional Seminar in Washington, DC, including full tuition, room and board for the program and round-trip transportation fare.

Additionally, the teacher of each winning student is awarded $300 for the purchase of school supplies.

Congressional Seminar Essay Contest Application

Essay rules & information, washington workshops foundation, washington workshops congressional seminar - nscda history, click here to see a sample itinerary from the 2019 program, information for teachers and parents.

• The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America is pleased to offer this amazing opportunity to students.
• We welcome essays from students. If they are participating as part of a class project, please note that all students should submit an application form.
• Encourage entries only from students who are interested in the Congressional Seminar experience and are likely to be available for attendance, should they win.
• Students may enter online or send hard copies via mail service to the Colonial Dame Patriotic Service Chair in Illinois (see below). If the Colonial Dames contact in your area has not been in touch with you, please contact [email protected] to obtain the address for mailing. (Reference “Essay Contest” as subject and give your city and state.)
• Students using postal mail should submit their completed application form plus 3 copies of their essay. Essays (750 words or fewer, excluding references and title) must be typed, double-spaced and printed on one side of paper only..

Contact: Patriotic Service Chair for the NSCDA-IL

Henry b. and caroline clarke/bishop louis henry and margaret ford house (clarke-ford house).

Built in 1836 for Henry B. Clarke, the Clarke-Ford House is Chicago’s oldest house. Formerly called the Henry B. Clarke House, the name was changed in 2022 to acknowledge the profound roles of Bishop Louis Henry and Margaret Ford in preserving the house and to recognize the contributions of Caroline Palmer Clarke.

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Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest

Their Story. Your Voice.

Your voice is your own. But it's also been impacted by others. Who, we wonder, has inspired you? Let us know by entering the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest. 

You could win an $8,000 college scholarship

For the opportunity to win an $8,000 scholarship, submit a video or written essay about an individual you know personally (who lives in your community) who has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

The details

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate Quarterly Contests - one for each calendar quarter of 2024. Regions is awarding four $8,000 scholarships through each Quarterly Contest.

Each Quarterly Contest has its own separate entry period, as provided in the chart below.

The entry deadline for each Quarterly Contest is 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date (set forth in the chart above).

No purchase or banking relationship required.

Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why we have awarded over $1 million in total scholarships to high school and college students.

How to enter, 1. complete an online quarterly contest application.

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest by completing a Quarterly Contest application.  The second Quarterly Contest runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Complete and save all requested information. 

2. Prepare your Written Essay or Video Essay

For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

Written Essay and Video Essay submissions must meet all of the requirements described in the contest Official Rules. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must be (i) in English, (ii) your own original work, created solely by you (and without the use of any means of artificial intelligence (“AI”)), and (iii) the exclusive property of you alone.

Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB. Only the following file formats are accepted: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Video Essays must not contain music of any kind nor display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material, and Video Essays must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view. You must upload your Video Essay to the application, and you may not submit your Video Essay in DVD or other physical form. (Video Essays submitted via mail will not be reviewed or returned.)

Tips to Record Quality Videos on a Smartphone:

• Don’t shoot vertical video. Computer monitors have landscape-oriented displays, so shoot your video horizontally.
• Use a tripod. Even small movements can make a big difference when editing.
• Don’t use zoom. If you need to get a close shot of the subject, move closer as zooming can cause pixilation.
• Use natural lighting. Smartphone lighting can wash out your video.

3. Review and submit your Quarterly Contest application

Review your information on your Quarterly Application (and check the spelling of a Written Essay) and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date. The second Quarterly Contest period end date is June 30, 2024.

4. Await notification

Winning entries are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your entry is selected as a Quarterly Contest winner, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information.

Eligibility

For purposes of this contest:

• The “Eligible States” are defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
• An “accredited college” is defined as a nonprofit, two- or four-year college or university located within one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia.

To be eligible to enter this contest and to win an award in a Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must:

• Be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States.
• Be age 16 or older.
• Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation.
• If you are not yet in college, begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year.
• As of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school).

View Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest (the “Contest”) consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests (each a “Quarterly Contest”): (1) the “Q-1 Contest;” (2) the “Q-2 Contest;” (3) the “Q-3 Contest;” and (4) the “Q-4 Contest.” The Q-1 Contest begins on 02/01/24 and ends on 03/31/24; the Q-2 Contest begins on 04/01/24 and ends on 06/30/24; the Q-3 Contest begins on 07/01/24 and ends on 09/30/24; and the Q-4 Contest begins on 10/01/24 and ends on 12/31/24. (For each Quarterly Contest, entries must be submitted and received by 11:59:59 PM CT on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date.) To enter and participate in a particular Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must: (a) be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States; (b) be 16 years of age or older; (c) have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation; (d) (if you are not yet in college) begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year; and (e) as of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no grade point average is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school). (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest details, including eligibility and Written Essay and Video Essay requirements and Official Rules. (Limit one (1) entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.) For each Quarterly Contest, eligible entries will be grouped according to form of entry (Written Essay or Video Essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. A total of four (4) Quarterly Contest Prizes will be awarded in each Quarterly Contest, consisting of two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Written Essay Entry Group and two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to winner’s designated accredited college. (Limit one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize per person; a contestant is permitted to win only one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize through the Contest.) Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

© 2024 Regions Bank. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

2023 Winners

High school:.

• Amyrrean Acoff
• Leon Aldridge
• Kharis Andrews
• Colton Collier
• Indya Griffin
• Christopher Hak
• Aquil Hayes
• Jayden Haynes
• McKenna Jodoin
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• Dylan Lodle
• Anna Mammarelli
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• Marcellus Odum
• Gautami Palthepu
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• Ryan Jensen
• Miracle Jones
• Shaniece McGhee
• Chelby Melvin
• Lamiya Ousley
• Kiera Phillips
• Gabrielle Pippins
• Ethan Snead
• Sydney Springs
• Kirsten Tilford
• Tamira Weeks
• Justin Williams

2022 Winners

• Paul Aucremann
• William Booker
• Robyn Cunningham
• Kani'ya Davis
• Oluwatomi Dugbo
• Lillian Goins
• Parker Hall
• Collin Hatfield
• Gabrielle Izu
• Kylie Lauderdale
• Jacob Milan
• Jackson Mitchell
• Carmen Moore
• Madison Morgan
• Kaden Oquelí-White
• Kaylin Parks
• Brian Perryman
• De'Marco Riggins
• Brianna Roundtree
• Sydney Russell
• Carlie Spore
• Morgan Standifer
• Ionia Thomas
• Ramaya Thomas
• Jaylen Toran
• Amani Veals
• Taylor Williams
• Alana Wilson
• Taryn Wilson
• Aryaunna Armstrong
• Hannah Blackwell
• T'Aneka Bowers
• Naomi Bradley
• Arianna Cannon
• Taylor Cline
• Catherine Cummings
• Margaret Fitzgerald
• Chloe Franklin
• Camryn Gaines
• Thomas Greer
• Kayla Helleson
• Veronica Holmes
• Logan Kurtz
• Samuel Lambert
• Jaylon Muchison
• Teresa Odom
• Andrew Payne
• Carey Price
• Emily SantiAnna
• Curtis Smith
• Jered Smith
• Mariah Standifer
• Maura Taylor
• Anna Wilkes

NPG IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS OF OUR 2023 ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP CONTESTS

• July 10, 2023
• Scholarship

NPG is pleased to offer challenging contests as part of our mission to enlist a new generation of activists who will be focused on calling attention to the dangers of population growth. We send our thanks to all of our members and friends who have so generously contributed, as well as our appreciation for the tens of thousands of students who have competed in our contests. It is your support and participation that make this critical program possible!

Please scroll down to see the winners from both our Essay Scholarship Contests!

2023 Graduate Students Essay Scholarship Topic

Experts from the U.S. Census Bureau predict U.S. population may reach 404 million by 2060 unless we change course. That means we may be living with an additional 70 million people in less than 40 years. What aspects of your life will be most affected by this growth? In order to protect our environment and quality of life for future generations, should the US government encourage policies designed to reduce growth to a smaller, truly sustainable, level?

Click on each name to view the text of the winning essay.

2023 High School Seniors & Undergraduate Students Essay Scholarship Topic

Experts from the U.S. Census Bureau predict U.S. population may reach 404 million by 2060 unless we change course. That means we may be living with an additional 70 million people in less than 40 years. What 3 aspects of your life will be most affected by this growth?

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$5,000 – The Donald W. Mann Memorial Scholarship for Population Studies  Alex Blake University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The world we inhabit contains finite resources that we depend on. As the population increases, the strain we place on both our limited resources and our infrastructure puts our livelihoods at risk. National policies should be implemented that aim to achieve an optimum population, sustain our finite resources, and improve the quality of life for our present and future generations.

Over the course of a century, the United States’ population has skyrocketed. The population grew from 111 million in 1923 to almost 340 million in 2023. As a result of advancements in medicine and accelerating migration, our carrying capacity – the maximum population size that can be sustained in an environment based on its available resources – has been exceeded. In his article, Way Too Many For Us , Hillel J. Hoffmann of Cornell University’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology projected the U.S. carrying capacity to be 200 million. If the U.S. population is predicted to reach 404 million by 2060, our government needs to take action. This growth will impact many aspects of our daily lives by amplifying existing issues such as traffic congestion, resource depletion, and a competitive workforce. With regard to our society’s urbanization, an additional 70 million people would drastically increase commute times in a city that relies heavily on vehicular transportation resulting in lower air quality. Severe supply chain issues would arise from the projected population growth due to a heavier demand for limited resources similar to the global supply chain crisis we witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in automation and artificial intelligence has already impacted the workforce’s limited capacity. Finding good, secure jobs will become incredibly competitive with the increase in population. These issues merely scratch the surface of the impact our projected population growth will have without the proper policy implementation.

The United States has the highest immigrant population in the world with nearly 50 million as of 2020, which accounts for 15% of the population. The second largest immigrant population in the world is Germany with about 15 million. In 2020, the United States granted 707,362 people with lawful permanent resident status. This is a significant decrease from the typical average of over a million. According to Brookings, “the bulk of last year’s increase in population growth (about 86%) was due to a rise in immigration.” In an effort to achieve a sustainable growth in population, the rate of immigration should be limited to a drastically lower number.

As a democratic society, the United States government should not dictate the family planning of the general public. The decision-making needed to combat overpopulation will be driven largely by a general public that is well-informed. Ideally, the government’s role should be to inform people about the causes and effects of overpopulation and provide incentives to families that adhere to sizes suitable for offsetting population increase. Implementing such policies may not necessarily be a priority, however. U.S. census data indicates that fertility rates are at an all-time low with an average of 1.62 births per woman in 2020. Although the average family has reached a sustainable size, the sheer number of families is still a factor not to be overlooked. The policies the U.S. government should focus on are those that modernize our infrastructure by taking into account the population growth that has already taken place.

In order to protect our environment and quality of life, the foundation of our infrastructure needs to be restructured. Cities that solely rely on vehicular transportation are not sustainable for the growing population. Policies that fund public transportation and fixed-route transit services would benefit both the economy and the environment through their ability to serve the masses. According to the American Public Transportation Association, “an investment of $10 million in public transportation generates about $32 million in increased business sales” and creates tens of thousands of jobs. Public transportation can accommodate 90 to 100 times more people than individual automobiles which significantly reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. Policies that directly aim at removing air pollution would improve our quality of life and protect our environment for future generations. The U.S. government should prioritize our shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as wind and solar. Our reliance on non-renewable energy sources is detrimental as these limited sources of energy cannot sustain our growing population in the near nor distant future.

Reaching an optimum population will require a conscious effort from the general public and advocacy from the government through policy implementation. Responsible family planning as well as policies that limit immigration into the United States will aid in a gradual decline in our population growth. Having already exceeded our projected carrying capacity, it is crucial to also support policies that take into account our existing growth by addressing issues of infrastructure and sustainable energy. Quality of life is a notion that we should strive to improve upon for not only the present but more importantly the future.

$2,500 Veronica Irwin NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute

As a resident of San Francisco, I am acutely aware of the harm that population growth can inflict. San Francisco has been densely populated since its transition from a Gold Rush town in the late 1800s, and the constant influx of people in the time since has only exacerbated the issues we face as a small, coastal city. Every day, San Franciscans are reminded of the impacts of population growth on the local environment and cost of living, whether it be because of rising sea levels flooding the Embarcadero or crowds of homeless people filling the downtown core. Because of my experience living here, I have come to believe that proactive federal action is necessary to slow population growth to a sustainable level and save major American cities like my own.

One of the most significant problems that population growth has caused in San Francisco is the skyrocketing cost of living. As more people move to the city, the demand for housing increases, and landlords can charge exorbitant rents. San Francisco is constantly battling New York City for being the most unaffordable place to live in the country, leading to four decades of steadily increasing homelessness. Just between 2005 and 2022 homelessness increased 43.5% in San Francisco, according to the city’s official point-in-time counts. Many long-term residents are forced to leave the city in search of more affordable living arrangements. Meanwhile, those who remain put a strain on our public transportation system and housing supply, leading to overcrowding, transit delays, and rising crime that impact both residents and visitors.

Another major issue that population growth has created in San Francisco is environmental degradation. The city is already prone to natural disasters: earthquakes because of its proximity to major fault lines, fires because of a state-wide drought and the close proximity of buildings, and a shrinking coastline on all three exposed sides of the peninsula. But the construction of new buildings and infrastructure has destroyed green spaces the city is known for and native wildlife’s natural habitats, leading to a loss of biodiversity and increased pollution. The sheer number of people in the city has also put a strain on our water and energy resources, making it increasingly difficult to maintain a sustainable way of life. According to the New York Times, even San Francisco’s iconic fog is disappearing due to local climate changes.

Fortunately, there are solutions that the US government could implement to help mitigate the negative impacts of population growth on coastal cities like San Francisco. For one, metropolitan public transit systems could be provided with funding to extend further into city suburbs, making it easier for people to both work in the city and live in less densely populated areas. When the Bay Area Public Transit System (BART) was first designed, for example, it stretched deep into cities up to a 90-minute drive from San Francisco. If it had been developed as originally intended, and not had its plans shrunk due to lobbying from the automobile industry, many of the city’s workers could comfortably live in cities like Fremont, Santa Rafael, and Redwood City, nearly twice as far from the city center as the BART lines extend now. Tax breaks and other subsidies could also be used to further incentivize people to trade the commute for more space in the suburbs. The government could also invest in infrastructure and job creation in these areas to make them more attractive to potential residents.

Another solution would be to invest more in dense, affordable housing and transportation options in coastal cities like San Francisco. This would help alleviate some of the strain that population growth has put on our housing supply, reducing homelessness and the waste that comes with people living on the city streets. Additionally, dense housing has been shown to reduce households’ carbon footprint. A collaborative 2022 study from the New York Times and UC Berkeley, for example, showed that dense neighborhoods in Manhattan expended nearly 50 tons of CO2 less per household than more spread-out neighborhoods in the New Jersey suburbs. Additional investments in renewable energy and water conservation efforts, particularly via subsidies for more environmentally friendly systems in this dense housing, would improve this solution.

Finally, the government could implement policies that encourage people to have fewer children. This could be achieved through more public education campaigns that promote family planning and birth control, as well as through tax incentives for families that choose to have fewer children. Investments in reproductive health care would also make it easier for people to make strong, informed decisions about their reproductive choices.

Since moving to the city in 2019, I have witnessed the firsthand harm that population growth has caused. In fact, I’ve seen it accelerate in just the four years I’ve been here, as cost of living spikes post-pandemic and people return to the re-awakening downtown. Personally, I am frightened — not only for our population, as a whole, but for my own future ability to afford to live and work in an urban area.

From the high cost of living to environmental degradation, population growth has created a host of problems that must be addressed if we want to create a sustainable future for our communities. By enabling and incentivizing people to move to less populated suburbs, investing in dense affordable housing options, and encouraging families to have fewer children, the US government can help to reduce population growth and create a better future for all of us. It is time for us to take actions and protect our cities and our planet from the harmful effects of population growth.

$1,500 Leanne Deng Georgetown University

 A Call to Manage Overpopulation in the United States 

As an immigrant from China living in the United States and now a nurse working every day and caring for patients, I want to bring a different take to limiting population growth in the United States. Immigration for many people is life changing. It has personally given me the opportunity to move out of a tiny village in China, obtain my master’s degree in nursing, and now pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. It is hard for someone like me who was given the opportunities to be in favor of policies designed to reduce population in the United States because at least one of them would probably involve limiting immigration. However, based on the claims of experts from the U.S. Census Bureau that we will have a 70 million increase in population in less than 40 years, the United States will need to start incorporating policies to limit population growth in order for its residents to live quality lives.  

I believe legalizing abortion and providing individuals with additional education on the use of contraceptives would be a step in the right direction to mitigate overpopulation in the United States. I am fully aware that abortion rights are a whole separate battle with many other factors and cannot limit population growth alone. However, having abortion as an option would help maintain our population numbers and decrease abandoned children. I had a patient come from Texas to my hospital in Oregon for an abortion because it was illegal in that state. If my patient did not have the financial ability to travel, she probably would’ve kept the child and contributed to unwanted population growth. In a study of population growth in 116 of the world’s largest countries, the use of contraception and abortion was able to keep the growth rate low. The results showed that abortion is necessary but not sufficient alone to lower the growth rate. Legalizing abortion and promoting education of contraceptive use in high school would be beneficial in reducing our growth rate. 

I also agree that aspects of immigration should be limited such as stopping illegal immigration and prohibiting anchor babies. In 2016, about 250,000 babies were born to unauthorized immigrant parents in the United States making up 6% of the total birth that year. I strongly believe the United States should discourage unintentional fertility through high school education on the use of contraceptives and the high cost of raising children. The United States should also endorse families to limit their household to two children. I was born in China while the one child per household policy was in effect, and while it was harsh and radical, it did help China’s population become more sustainable. While I do not believe the United States should do something as harsh as China, I do believe the United States should provide more benefits for couples to have less children. This will help promote smaller families and help them financially. 

Slowly but surely, everyone will be affected by the large population surge in the next 40 years. Working in surgery, I am able to see how fast technology is advancing and that life expectancy has been longer than ever before. In the 1960s, the average life expectancy of Americans was 69.77 years old and currently it is at 77.28 years old with a slight decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What will most likely happen is that we will expand our cities and there will be an increase in deforestation resulting in an increase in carbon dioxide into our environment. From a nurse’s perspective, losing even more trees and natural reserves which are healing to the mind and body can lead to an increase in mental health problems more than ever before. In a worldwide ecological study, deforestation was shown to be strongly associated with poor mental health including higher suicide rates. Aside from mental health, we will most likely also be living in overcrowded cities allowing contagious diseases to spread quickly. Decreasing our growth rate will slow down deforestation to expand our cities.  

I do believe the United States government needs to establish policies to prohibit illegal immigration and anchor babies while approving and supporting abortion rights for women and education on contraceptive use. The combination of these actions will help maintain our population, and from thereon we can promote proper education for families to prevent having more than two children per household, showing them health benefits. As an immigrant, I do support immigration through family reunification because I would never be the way I am without being raised in a nuclear family and having the support of both my parents. As a nurse, I believe population should be limited so we can slow expansion of cities and deforestation leading to mental health and stress with the loss of nature which can be healing for many. We need to look at the bigger picture and ahead for the future of our next generations and support limiting population growth.  

$1,500 Ashlyn Puckett Georgia State University College of Law 

The rush of millions of minds crowds the streets in Houston, TX.  Their metropolitan area boasts a population of over seven million and growing.  Almost 1.7 million immigrants and refugees call Houston home, which accounts for roughly a quarter of their population.  While these relocations have made Houston the diverse cultural center it is today, they have also threatened the wellbeing of the residents who live there.  Without a strict immigration policy, areas like Houston will become overpopulated.  To combat this, the United States should enforce a stricter immigration policy to prevent overpopulation, which would ultimately harm both the environment, and our citizens’ quality of life.

Although the fundamental idea of immigration is not a threat to the United States, the effects of it, should it continue in the proportions it is now, could lead to overpopulation.  Immigration is “a major driver of population growth” in the United States, meaning that decreasing the number of immigrants who come in will lower the population growth dramatically.  Especially because many of the immigrants who enter are illegal, improving security on the border could have great effects.  Contrarily, “the number of babies born in the U.S. hit its lowest level in more than three decades last year.” This further proves that the most efficient way to limit the U.S. population growth is by decreasing incoming immigrants.  If the number of babies born in the U.S. remains low, and immigration is slowed, then the U.S. will maintain a stagnant growth rate, allowing it to avoid many overpopulation related issues in the future.

Overpopulation both increases climate change and decreases one’s quality of life.  Climate change is, in part, fueled by the amount of people on the planet.  The industrial revolution occurred in the 19 th century, and sparked a wide culture of innovation, causing humans to use more of their natural resources.  Despite the industrial revolution, “if we had invented steam engines and coal- powered electrical grids and automobiles but kept global population at 1800 levels – climate change would be much less of an issue” In the 19 th century, population levels were much lower than they are today, meaning that the scale of pollution was much smaller.  With a reduced level of pollution, earth’s natural cycles could easily keep up with the waste created.  However, this is not the case today, as the global population has skyrocketed, so has pollution.  If the United States wants to remain, in terms of reference to other countries, one of the leaders in global environmentalism, keeping populations down is a necessity.  Another large effect of overpopulation is the lowered quality of life that comes with population density.  If the United States becomes too overcrowded, there will be a “rise [in] unemployment,” an increase of the cost of living, and “starvation, [will] become more likely.” Protecting the citizens of the U.S. from these occurrences can only be done through monitoring population growth.  Without it, there will be a dramatic decrease in the quality of life in the U.S, and in the quality of the environment. 

In order to protect the United States from the effects of overpopulation, the best policies to decrease illegal immigration include the use of E-Verify like systems, and the removal of dangerous foreign nationals.  Previous administrations have enforced the use of E-Verify, which “checks the social security numbers of newly hired employees against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security records to help ensure that they are genuinely eligible to work in the U.S.” By accounting for every employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S, employers help take a step to enforce documentation of immigrants.  Those that make it into the U.S. undocumented will find it difficult to be there and will thereby be encouraged to go through the legal immigration process.  Additionally, the U.S. should “arrest, detain, and remove criminals, fugitives, and other dangerous foreign nationals  by leveraging federal information […] and working with the Department of Justice to ensure more timely hearing of immigration cases and appeals.”  The U.S. immigration system has long been a part of its journey to one of the most powerful nations in the world.  It is important to keep this essential factor well-oiled and polished, even if it means enforcing verification systems and removing those who are illegally in the country.  By restricting illegal immigration, the U.S. will be able to lower growth rates and prevent overpopulation. 

With the global population projected to reach eight billion this year, the earth is reaching its carrying capacity. With a limited number of resources, it is vital that measures are taken to decrease population growth rates, not just in the United States, but across the globe.  However, as one of the most influential nations in the world, it is important that the United States takes this important step toward human survival. 

$1,000 Lorena Elizabeth Diaz Strayer University

Albert Einstein once said, “ Overpopulation in various countries has become a serious threat to the well-being of many people and a grave obstacle to any attempt to organize peace on this planet of ours.” (1) I wholeheartedly agree with him. In the United States’ overpopulation has become one of the most serious threats to the environment’s health, natural resources, ecosystems, and quality of life. Many factors contribute to this serious threat, the most impactful are uncontrolled immigration and higher birth rates. The United States government must make decisions and policies aimed at reducing population growth to preserve our country’s resources and quality of life for future generations. Failure to do so could have a destructive effect, including environmental deterioration, starvation, stress, and even violence.

Overpopulation and Immigration Crisis

According to Merriam-Webster, the term overpopulation is defined as “the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash.” (2) I believe that overpopulation occurs when there are no longer sufficient natural resources to sustain the lives of all people inhabiting the earth and still leave behind a healthy planet for future generations. To put this definition into perspective and give it the credence it deserves, I present data from the United States Census Bureau. According to data provided by the Unites States Census Bureau, as of March 2023, the total estimated U.S. population will have reached 334,545,826 people. (3) Their data further shows that the estimated population continues to increase exponentially every year. The chart below shows population growth in the U.S. over the past four years.

Additionally, the data from the United States Census Bureau suggests that a leading cause to the threat of overpopulation is immigration. Data from the United States Census Bureau indicates that there is precisely one migrant to the U.S. every 22 seconds .(5) At present, there is an alarming inflow of undocumented immigrants coming through the U.S. southern borders. For example, in my home state of Florida, there have been at least 8,000 immigrants apprehended on the waters off the coast of Florida since August 2022. (6) There are also examples of numerous immigrants who reach the shores of Florida by boat every day. Many times, these boats are left on shore for local authorities to dispose of, creating an environmental hazard. (7).According to Migration Policy Institute, in 2021 Florida had the third most immigrants of any state, at approximately 4.6 million. (4) Regrettably, it is not feasible for Florida to continue to accept everyone who wants to come in without extreme repercussions to the state’s natural resources.  

While immigration may have some positive impacts on our communities, such as providing skilled, documented immigrant workers who contribute to the health of the economy. Undocumented immigrants, on the other hand, bring more issues because they are not vetted and their ability to financially support themselves could be lacking. (6) This issue directly impacts our communities by way of unaffordable housing and overcrowded classrooms. Undocumented immigrants contribute to the issue of run-down neighborhoods, which in turn increases crime, pollution, and unsanitary living conditions. Not to mention, the tremendous strain on our local authorities and social services that do not have the resources to accommodate such a large influx of immigrants. (7) It is important for the health of our communities that the government take initiatives to make polices about reducing immigration on our shores.

It is also imperative that we acknowledge that higher birth rates contribute to the threat of overpopulation .(5) According to the United States Census Bureau, there is one birth every 9 seconds. (5) Impoverished areas are experiencing higher birth rates due to lack of educational resources. It is the government’s responsibility to conduct research and identify areas of need and provide free contraception and education for boys and girls. Education among young women and teenage girls can have several positive effects, including delayed motherhood, and an increase in labor force contribution. (9) The government must increase Its efforts to share information about family planning and expose myths about contraception. This will surely help with the high birth rate in the U.S, which is currently a leading factor in the threat of overpopulation.

Conversations about population control present ethical challenges, especially when referring to the number of children a household should have. However, we should not be deterred from having these conversations. In the end, these conversations could prove to have an everlasting positive effect on the topic of overpopulation that threatens our small world. Pope Francis once said, “Some people think that — excuse my expression here — that in order to be good Catholics we have to be like rabbits. No. Parenthood is about being responsible. This is clear.” (8) I believe what the Pope was trying to say is that procreation should never be regarded as a requirement, and instead we must look outward and claim responsibility for choices in creating a family. Certainly, participating in responsible population growth is one of the most reliable and economic methods of helping our environment and securing a sustainable future.

Overpopulation is the biggest threat we are currently facing, and it will become a more complex issue in the coming decades. This issue has a devastating impact on the Earth’s limited supply of natural resources, and leads to problems such as environmental degradation and adverse effects on our forests and oceans. The biggest contributors to U.S. overpopulation are illegal immigration and higher birth rates in impoverished areas. Overpopulation negatively impacts our communities in many ways, including increasing pollution and contributing to the lack of affordable housing, which leads to homelessness and overcrowded classrooms. Recognizing the issue is not sufficient. The United States Government must act immediately and incessantly adopt policies to solve the issue before it worsens.

$1,000 Grace Katzmar Columbia University, Teachers College 

With a projected increase of 70 million people by 2060, the United States is facing a population growth crisis which would lead to increased damage to the environment and put further pressure on the housing crisis and the economy. On a personal level, my life as a teacher would be greatly impacted by population growth, as the American education system is already breaking under the strain of too much need, and too few resources. The American Government has a responsibility to enact policies intended to limit further growth to protect the health of the environment and increase equity and sustainable living for Americans.

As a teacher in American public schools, I have experienced crowded classrooms, with abysmally low funding and little support. The education system is on the verge of a breaking point, and it’s hard to imagine the additional stress an increasing population would put on already overwhelmed teachers. Between housing insecurity, hunger, poverty, environmental change, community violence and infrastructural decline, schools feel the ripple effects of all societal crises. With an increased population, the cost of housing, healthcare, and food would likely skyrocket, leaving communities in need with even fewer resources, and schools would be taking on even more responsibility to pick up the slack. For my students in New York City, the price of housing is already a severe problem in many of their lives, an increased population would only create more demand for housing, and fewer resources from educational and social agencies to support an increased number of students experiencing houselessness. The National Center for Education Statistics predicts that the number of students enrolled in American schools could double by 2100. Such an increase would be untenable under the current education system without government intervention to curb population growth and support American schools.

Based on my experiences as a teacher, I feel that the U.S. Government has a responsibility to enact policies designed to limit population growth in ways that increase quality of life for American citizens through greater access to women’s healthcare and education. The ethical dilemma in population growth policies lies in creating more access and more equity without violating human rights. The primary way to limit population growth while upholding equity would be universal support of women’s healthcare including affordable and accessible birth control methods, and nation-wide abortion access. By inhibiting women’s access to birth control and abortion, American women are forced to carry unwanted pregnancies, even in cases of rape and incest. With the power to make decisions about their own healthcare, even women without insurance could make the decision not to have children or have the agency to prevent unwanted pregnancy in the first place. Data from the University of Washington shows a significant link between the rise in contraceptive use and a decline in fertility rates in El Salvador, citing, “the country’s total fertility rate went from 5.44 births per woman in the mid-1970s — when 28% of women used birth control — to 2.72 births in the mid-2000s, when contraceptive prevalence had more than doubled”.  The solution to make contraception more accessible and affordable empowers communities while also addressing population growth.

Furthermore, more access to educational programs would empower Americans to make informed decisions about having children. Many people who have more than the average amount of children do so due to lack of other options. Societies with higher levels of education also have lower population levels. The public forum cites research from the Population Council which shows, overall, educated women have significantly fewer children than women who have not received formal education, “We’ve seen some astonishing transitions, especially in the 1970s in what were then poor countries where fertility rates fell when levels of education went up” (Murray).  There is a direct link between low birth rates and education around contraception and women’s health, but also when it comes to education in general.

When people are educated and have universal access to contraceptive methods, they can make more informed decisions about their fertility. Based on several studies on the link between contraception, education, and lower birth rates, I posit that creating educational programs surrounding women’s health and family planning, as well as offering universal and affordable contraception and access to abortion are positive first steps for the U.S. Government to take to address the threat of overpopulation.

$1,000 Brian Lum University of Arkansas

It is predicted in the year 2060, the U.S. population may reach 404 million. This should be an alarming number for everyone. It does not matter your political affiliation, background, economic status, or location. Everyone will be drastically impacted. That includes me. I will be forced into the effects of overpopulation.

My entire life has been spent in the most rural areas of Iowa or Arkansas. My lifestyle is an evolution of living rural and remote. At 47 years old, I now reside in an unincorporated community with a population of 223. Our community has one gas station, which is only open Monday through Saturday for eight hours each day. I can only see one house from any point on our five-acre property. On any day, there are less than a hundred cars that pass the house. One of the big factors that contributed to me and my wife, Jenn, choosing this property was its lack of population and attractions to the area.

  I am a technical trainer for a large thermoforming plastic company. At our facility, we produce food packaging made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Yes, the evil plastic is the means that provides my income.

  Now that the picture is painted of my current position, we can begin to complicate it with projections from the rapid growth of population.

  In the last couple of decades, Jenn and I have noticed the area between our small community and the larger metropolitan areas dwindling down. More and more farmlands are being turned into subdivisions. The forests are shrinking in size to accommodate for more businesses, housing, parking lots, and roadways. During late night drives, as we get closer to the city, the stars in the sky begin to disappear as the lights of the hustle and bustle take over the sky. At home, we can sleep with the windows open and only awakened by the sound of a cow, or one of our chickens, that has an apparent internal broken clock. When at a friend’s house in the city, there is the constant noise of a sleepless population.

Our meals are usually food provided by our farm or neighboring farms. With several farmers in the area selling fresh from the farm products, traveling to the grocery store is minimized. These farms have been in their families for many generations and have provided their livelihoods. As word runs rapid through our community when someone sells their farm to developers, conversations are started. Questions are asked about when it reaches us, what will happen. Will we sell? Will we be forced into buying our meat, vegetables, milk, and eggs from some big-name store that buys from big producers? Will we be the last generation of farmers in our family?

  The company I work for has been growing at record rates in the last decade as the demand for food packaging has increased at a parallel rate as population. This might be the only positive impact population growth has for me. However, irresponsibility of recycling is a huge problem. A large part of our product is made with post-consumer recycled material. The unfortunate side, some of our customers require that their products be made with 100% virgin materials. The most common reason is for the appearance of the packaging. It saddens me to think the product we produce can be recycled repeatedly, making a small mark on our environment, but there is a huge part of the population that either does not care or do not have a means of recycling reusable products. Our product, when mishandled, will end up in a landfill for 500-700 years. This is outrageous and action need to be taken.

What is the approach to protect the night sky, farm to table foods, silence in the night, the trees, the animals, and the environment? Should the government intervene and make aggressive policies to push change? I am a “less government is better” kind of guy, but not in this case. I support policies to reduce growth to a smaller, truly sustainable level. I wish there were other avenues to consider and try, but I am convinced that most businesses and individuals are selfish in their approach to environmental conservation. As a teacher, I see how difficult it is to impress an idea on someone that is not affected immediately or directly and must resort to changing company policies and procedures to force team members to abide.

What will my life look like in 40 years? Well, I imagine my 87 year-old self will no longer be able to live the rural life I love and crave. I am sure I will have neighbors living in my backyard (in my front and side yards also). My diet will consist primarily of processed and packaged foods. I could see noise pollution will be unbearable. Crime, I do not even want to think about crime. Clean water problems will become the norm for our area. Resources will be depleted and scarce. It will be a different world entirely forced to change by overpopulation. It will not be the “good ole days” any longer.

$1,000 Michael Soaries Union Theological Seminary New York

I moved into the community in which I now live approximately 25+ years ago. It was a mixed income community and a diverse population. While there were still the problems of race, gender, economics, I think the relative small size, coupled with a demographic who lived and engaged through the 1960s, allowed for a better working out of these issues. However, over time gentrification set in and the population increased as well as became less diverse. This has resulted in some issues that I believe correspond to the projected increase in world population.

A simple change has been more buildings needed to house more people. This means constant construction, closing of businesses for space, and increased rents and property values as well as noise and other pollutions. Then there is the increase in automobile traffic resulting in jams on the two main avenues at the going to work and coming home from work hours – as well as the school pick up and drop offs that result in congestion nightmares. More cars also mean more pollution which means more breathing and other related health problems that then contribute to an even larger flow into the emergency rooms for treatments. Health costs are enormous.

Add to that the after-pandemic affects of workforce changes, the struggling economy that is seeing tech companies dropping thousands of jobs and with a population increase that will only fuel potentials for fighting over already limited resources – we see this already playing out with immigration fights in the US and other countries.

Other qualities of life will definitely be impacted. We will need to manage resources much better. We’ve seen in the past in some African countries where the problem of hunger could have been alleviated much quicker had the obstacles to the needed resources getting in been dealt with. We already have an historic model for what can happen if we don’t become more aware, on an individual basis, of how we use and misuse resources. Hungry people eventually will not sit and wait for food. They will get up and go to where they think it is and not always peacefully. Can the US military withstand an onslaught of hungry people banging at the doors of the great wall? Maybe for a time but not forever. Especially when some of the hungry are within the wall itself. We already see the negative results of the political infighting, the racial divides, the gender gaps have on our way of life. Multiply that by 100 and add in unemployed anger, hungry children, the elderly, desperate people and it is a mess.

I’ve seen the stress growing up in low income black communities plagued with food deserts, a scarcity of jobs, over policing, overcrowded and underfunded schools – a mismanagement of resources in the sense that it generally was just a matter of time before a match was struck and somebody or group of bodies exploded in a rage that threatened to consume even the little that was there.

With advancements in technology I am not sure we would go back to that but I don’t know. Larger populations also mean a larger divide between the haves and the have-nots. Personally, I don’t believe in a war on the rich. However, as tempers get strained, as the competition for work gets greater and jobs harder to come by the have-nots will look to the haves and see them as the cause. And the haves will probably already put in place mechanisms of protection because psychologically it seems harder to give up money than to share.

We also have a model for population control already in place. China has been struggling with this for years. Their one child rule may have seemed like a good idea at the time to control growth but it has resulted in a deficit of people able to contribute to the economy and an increase in people aging out of the economy. According to an article on Forbes.com:

“The key demographic in this regard is the relative size of the country’s working population. Because China’s one-child policy has over time come to limit the human resources available to support the country’s dependent population, largely China’s elderly, the nation will lose much of its ability to invest for future growth. The figures are stark. According to United Nations (UN) demographers, China’s workforce has already begun to shrink absolutely even as the country’s dependent elderly population has continued to grow rapidly. Of course, labor power is not the whole story. Technological advances and productivity increases will allow a more efficient use of China’s available human resources, but the demographic situation will nonetheless limit Beijing’s options, especially when it comes to the huge development projects that have awed so many around the world, including the so-called “Belt and Road,” as well as China’s military buildup.”

Here we can see that China has a problem. We also get a sense that they recognize it and have implemented some strategies of resource management that might prove a better solution than population control. By the way, China has increased the amount of children couples can have to three, a concession of sorts.

All that being said I do believe that governments, particularly the US government should continue to encourage policies that support slower/smaller more sustainable growth, with a heavy emphasis on educating individual members in regards to their impact and role in the process. I as an individual have had and continue to have to learn that my individuality is not endless. What I do impacts others here and in other countries. As what others do impacts me. Understanding what that means and then how to translate that into meaningful actions is where education and support might make the biggest difference.

$2,500 Peter Sloniewsky Georgetown University

Among all of the other crises facing the members of my generation, few receive less attention than the impending reality of overpopulation. In the United States, a country defined by its existing inequalities, the consequences look dire for those unable to afford an escape. For myself, as an individual beginning my college education next year, the progressing tides look to threaten not only my potential for a secure livelihood but also that of my children.

The earth is groaning beneath our feet, and we must learn to walk more lightly upon it.

 – John Muir, “My First Summer in the Sierra”

Overpopulation seeks to threaten the most existential threat faced by those in my generation: the effect of humanity on the Earth’s climate. People generate waste; more people will result in increased usage of goods and needs for energy, which will lead to increased pollution and depletion of our natural resources. Some have declared that the climate disaster is already here; we are already beginning to see unprecedented increases in the frequency and intensity of massive storms and extreme weather events, and overpopulation threatens to accelerate that environmental decline by a significant margin. It is a sincere possibility that more than four hundred million Americans, including myself, will live in a world, within forty years, both unrecognizable and significantly less habitable than the one we enjoy today.

We have lived our lives / in the shadow of towering buildings / Where the air is thick with the smell / of fear and despair.

– Langston Hughes, “The Dream Keeper and Other Poems”

As the population expands, the inequalities which divide America today have no clear future beyond expansion. A lack of effective social services, housing, and infrastructure lead to diaspora and widen the gap between rich and poor. Additionally, a significant expansion of population increases demand for jobs that may just not exist, as it is likely that job market growth will not be able to compete with rapid changes in population. As the gap between rich and poor widens as well, those in areas which cannot support their populations will crumble, exacerbated by climate change. The economic decline which grows from a trend of stressed industrial systems and local economies will undoubtedly come to affect me in a personal way, in part due to the economic vulnerability attached to this period wherein I am meant to be spent acquiring the wealth which will secure my future.

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere / The ceremony of innocence is drowned.

– W.B. Yeats, “The Second Coming”

Lastly, the strain of increased population will perhaps most prominently and decisively manifest itself within my life in social tension, namely through the spread of disease, increased crime, and an increase in competition for important natural resources. Correlations are clear between overpopulation and groups with a high tendency to spread disease not unlike the pandemic which so powerfully affected my upbringing. Increases in crime as cities begin to crowd even further are inevitable, which has the potential to fuel political fires and inflammatory rhetoric. Competition for natural resources, now depleted even further, will become rampant to serve to reinforce our socioeconomic divides and distinguish the rich from the poor even more distinctly from today.

It is easy to diminish the problem of overpopulation as alarmist, or simply not an issue of extreme concern in a period of time which seems plagued by an infinite list of catastrophes. However, this dilemma holds the potential to severely diminish the futures of myself and others my age as we grow up in an America which cannot give as much as we take.

$2,000 Curtis J. Halpin Penn State University 

Annihilation by Population

The time bomb is ticking with every heartbeat that is created.  The predicted increase of 70 million people by 2060 in the United States will have a detrimental effect on not only our country, but the citizens that populate our borders.  Life is defined by balance.  Actions have their consequences.  Over the next several years, balancing the demands of a growing population will put a strain on the limited resources of the United States.  When the seesaw of the ecological balance is overthrown by the density of a growing population, harsh realities such as pollution, urbanization, and increased conflicts will begin to arise. 

For the past 16 years, I have had a front row seat to the pyrotechnic display from the coal powered steam plant five miles from my house.  Daily, I can watch the white plumes of pollutants released from the towering, cannon-like smokestacks.  According to the EPA, these pollutants contribute to the decline of the ozone layer and numerous health issues.  Not only are hazardous chemicals being released into the air, the chemicals found in coal ash are also imposing health and environmental problems.    In the year 2014, the harms of coal ash became personal.  A spill at a retired Eden, NC power plant carried between 50,000 tons and 82,000 tons of cancer-causing chemicals and hazardous pollutants to my doorstep.  The effects of this accident and the tons of coal ash that are still stockpiled in the United States will continue to pose health issues, environmental hazards, and increased consumer electrical costs well into our future. 

The density of a growing population has erupted through rural towns across the United States.   Urbanization is spreading at an uncontrollable rate.  It is predicted by 2040 that North Carolina will be ranked second in the United States for losing the most farmland to urbanization. Urbanization does not just result in the loss of land, but it creates a demand for infrastructure to support the growing neighborhoods.  Our local high school enrollment exceeds the size of the building and has entire grade levels housed in trailers.  The local communities are funding regional water studies to identify outside water supplies.   Several areas of North Carolina experienced rolling blackouts in December because the local grid was not able to handle the power demand.   As urbanization continues to spread, the chances of dark hours, crowded spaces, and increased water costs will haunt our future.

In addition to the infrastructure conflicts that are caused by population growth in our borders, vast worldwide conflicts are experienced on a global scale as we compete for more crude resources.  Already, wars are being fought in the Middle East and other regions for these resources.  The war in Ukraine is centered on acquiring more land and control of a nuclear power plant.  The hunger for more, as the result of starvation and destruction, will come at the cost of lives being lost in conflicts and the annihilation of nations. 

Power versus waste byproducts, urbanization versus farmland, conflicts versus resolutions – the predicted population growth by the year 2060 is the ticking time bomb threatening our ecological seesaw.  Our actions, inventions, and technological advancements that have enabled our population to grow may ultimately seal our fate by 2060.   If nothing is done now to counterbalance, our demands will continue to come at a cost that is higher than our earth can afford.

$2,000 Amanda Jorjorian-Furcho Valencia College 

The Effects of an Increased Population on Florida Beautiful

Earth, air, fire, and water. Four elements that are essential to life as we know it. As the world population increases, we are the puppeteers in the delicate balancing of the stresses placed on these elements. On a personal level, a population increase would negatively affect my life within earth, air, and water elements. Looking ahead nearly 40 years, the U.S. population is predicted to reach 404 million adding additional pressure on my home state’s natural resources and ultimate quality of life. The first element – water surrounds the state on three sides and is one of the most essential elements to life.

Of the 71 percent of water on the planet, only about 0.3 percent is usable. Florida relies on water primarily from the Floridan Aquifer. This aquifer – one of the world’s most productive – is stressed with the current addition of 900 residents a day and could join nearly half of America’s water basins in experiencing significant water supply shortages in the next 50 years. A bird’s eye view would suggest the acceptance of a future without green lawns, but a closer look would showcase a future without water to clean dishes, take showers, limited access to water to drink and particularly for agriculture. Population growth would therefore have a detrimental effect on daily life and importantly as well, food supply.

Another aspect of my life that would be affected by population growth is air quality. I will be in retirement by 2060. Poor air quality can cause health problems towards humans, plants, and wildlife and research suggests that older adults are “more susceptible to air pollution-induced health effects”. An increased population means an increase in cars on the road and reduction in natural land or open space which has negative effects on the vibrant ecology of Florida.  

For example, without continued protection and investment towards a wildlife corridor and conservation of lands due to urbanization, I may see the extinction of animals, such as the Florida Panther in my lifetime due to a loss of habitat and biodiversity. To me, this is the earth element that is vital to my spirit, peace and ultimately my wellbeing.

Not only could a population increase see the loss of unique animals, place strain on the water supply and air quality but the natural beauty of Florida including its pristine springs, the Florida everglades, and miles of glorious beaches have the potential to be damaged by increased human activity. Couple this with climate change and sea level rise causing homes to be moved or built further inland, an increase in population in Florida will have unfavorable effects on my life quality, health, and wellbeing and not be sustainable in balancing the four elements to keep Florida Beautiful.

$2,000 Morgan Pursley University of Tennessee Chattanooga

In 2060 I will be 56 years old. If the population continues to grow at the expected rate, I imagine a world where healthcare will be harder to obtain, my children and I will be paying an unreasonable amount of taxes to support an overburdened education system, and my family and I will be facing water and food shortages.

I work at an Assisted Living. During the pandemic, there was such a shortage of beds at hospitals that our Covid positive residents would get turned away at the hospital, have to come back to the Assisted Living, and would pass away. The hospital could not support the amount of care that was needed, and if the population rises at the expected rate, it is unlikely the hospitals can support the rate of population growth, even when there is no disease or health crisis currently happening. Since the majority of population growth is coming from immigration, and non-insured people, The United States medical systems cannot continue to provide free services and stay in business.

My great Aunts are retired teachers in West Texas. They have witnessed firsthand the unbalance in resource allocation that it takes to get immigrant children up to grade level. Texas schools get their funding from property taxes. Because most illegal immigrants don’t own property or pay taxes, these school systems are forced to provide an unrealistic amount of educational resources to Spanish speaking children without the increase in funding to hire more teachers or other staff. The school system is legally required to provide Spanish translators for the children, leaving less resources to hire other staff or purchase supplies. In the next 40 years I believe the school systems all across the US will be experiencing the same burden that West Texas has faced for so long. My children and grandchildren will likely be taught by teachers who have to choose whether to help them reach their potential or get the immigrant children up to grade level. It’s not fair to give these immigrants false hope. We can’t sustain the education that we’ve been providing with the same amount of tax money if we have to provide interpreters for 30+ languages.

My Grandmother lives on 10 acres near Austin, Texas. She has a well. I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee and we have city water. It is easy when the city provides water to think that it is unlimited, but it is not. When they build new neighborhoods in Texas near my grandmother’s place, the underground water table gets depleted and there’s not enough water for everyone to drink, much less flush their toilets, take showers, wash their clothes, etc. People need to understand that water is not unlimited and we cannot make more of it. As the population grows exponentially, and the water does not increase, it is very likely that within the next 40 years, my family and I will face dire water shortages. Without enough water to sustain agriculture, the United States will likely face severe shortages in our food supply as well.

In conclusion, by the time I am 56, The United States will hopefully have found a way to stop the current rates of overpopulation. I want my children and grandchildren to inherit the quality of life I have been fortunate to have in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I am grateful to NPG for bringing a voice to the concern of overpopulation in America. The process of writing this scholarship has opened my eyes on the problems we face from overpopulation. I hope to carry this message forward for the rest of my life.

$1,500 Sebastian Henson Lake Forest College

How Will I Be Affected by Population Growth?

I don’t believe that any American can breathe fully without the touch of nature reminding us of our origins and gently guiding us on a path of calm, purpose, and joy. I certainly can’t­—when I sit in my yard, take a breath of fresh air, and listen to the cardinals’ songs, I am reminded of my place in life. In these moments, we forget that nature may not always be our guiding light. As the U.S. population is expected to grow by 70 million people in the next forty years, I can only expect to see increased habitat destruction, and see my connection with nature, quality of life, and health decrease.

Living in an area with limited access to open space and nature preserves, I cherish every nature excursion or glimpse of it. Open forests give me room for contemplation, learning, and joy. But these havens may not be available forever. Population growth invariably means loss of land and loss of natural habitat, leading to the most irreversible loss, the extinction of species. From 2000 to 2017, the U.S. population increased by 37 million, resulting in almost 12,000 acres of land developed due to population related factors. With a population growth of 70 million, developed land could be calculated to increase by almost 23,000 acres. It’s hard to imagine the implications of losing a portion of open space the size of West Virginia. I fear the day when I tell children tales about times when nature was abundant, and our nation was rich with biodiversity.

I usually think of the United States as a country with copious agricultural resources, and a shelter from dangers present in other parts of the world. But with the projected population increase, even this may be challenged. As population increases, so does America’s carbon dioxide emissions, which intensifies global warming. This has a multitude of results. When temperatures rise, certain crops cannot grow as well, become more vulnerable to weeds, and can even lose their nutritional value. Increased development may also decrease available farmland. Both factors can decrease agricultural output, potentially making quality food less accessible for my family. Beyond food impacts, additional global warming will cause natural disasters that are far more frequent than now. This will put more homes, including mine, in danger of destruction from storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, directly affecting my quality of life.

The increase will also affect our health. The COVID-19 pandemic put to light the dangers of a large population—heightened disease transmission and overcrowded medical facilities. As America’s cities become denser, we can only expect these problems to get worse. A population increase will also result in more pollution as there is a greater need for energy and consumer goods. This will result in lower air quality, which has been linked to numerous health conditions. Since I plan to become a physician, I anticipate that my career will be very different than those before me; there will be a greater focus on improving the health of a nation afflicted with overpopulation related illnesses.

All that said, there is always hope. With proper immigration, land use, and infrastructure legislation, as well as initiatives to educate on family-planning, it doesn’t have to come to this. Without intervention, however, we can expect to lose our connection with nature, safety and security, and health—all of which have been cornerstones of my life and pillars of our nation.

$1,500 Connor Karpilovsky St. Joseph’s University – Long Island

My Future in a Growing Population

Twenty-one. Twenty, one. No, I am not talking about the legal drinking age in the United States nor am I referring to the 2008, critically panned film of the same name. Vespa et al. (2020) of the U.S. Census Bureau project that the United States’ population will reach roughly 404 million people by 2060, from a roughly 332 million population in 2020 (p. 4). The “twenty-one” I was referring to is the growth of about 21.6% in the U.S. population that would occur, which would certainly change the world as we know and see it today. By analyzing these projections, I can better understand how such an increase would affect my everyday life.

One aspect of my life that would be impacted with a drastic population increase would, in my view, be the housing market. Living on Long Island, I am no stranger to a housing market that is inconceivably expensive, but if you add in a 21.6% population increase then I believe that will be a recipe for disaster. More people means an increased demand for housing, and thus an amplified market.  I believe that this projected population growth will only exacerbate the housing market crisis and make it even more difficult to purchase a home during my lifetime.

The food supply chain is another aspect of my life that would be impacted. We have seen shocks and constraints in the supply chain ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started back in 2020, so it is my assertion that a population increase of this magnitude would only create more shortages at local stores. Similar to the housing issue, additional people in the economy would equate to an increased demand for basic goods and if our supply chains are not improved upon in the next 40 years then that will pose a key problem. This would not only have a major impact on my own personal life, but it would have a wide-ranging effect on the entire country as people would start to struggle to find basic goods that we all consume.

Lastly, I believe the environmental impacts will be grave and dire with this population increase. Our country already has a tremendous number of issues with respecting our environment, ranging from pollution to worsening climate change to even just daily littering, all of which will continue to have negative environmental ramifications. This will affect me personally as it could mean the further destruction of parts of nature that I interact with and see daily. Spending time with my wife on Peconic Lake or traversing through the Pine Barrens could be ancient history if necessary actions are not taken to lessen the impact of a dramatic population increase.

A 21.6% increase in the population over the next 40 years would have a profound impact on a plethora of aspects of my life. If no changes are made in how we live our lives then there will be severe consequences for us all. It is my hope that we as a society can come together to ensure that such devastation does not happen for the betterment of, not only ourselves, but more importantly for future generations as well. We cannot keep pushing our problems to the side; we need to be the change that we want to see in the world.

$1,000 Simran Bhogle Irvine Valley College

In its prime, population growth was the machine that revolutionized America’s power in the world. The country bled with newfound potential and scared the rest of the world into submission. The economy strengthened and culture found its muse through the arts. Yet, this benefactor slowly but surely turned to a disadvantage. The bustling transportation and manufacturing changed the climate, polluted the waterways, and contributed to social inequalities. Although population growth caused an influx in American wealth, it slowly destroys our success now. As I look around the world in the future, the three aspects of my life most affected by population growth will be climate, pollution, and social inequality.

Climate is an incredibly important aspect of life because it determines the availability of crops and other valuable resources, but human overpopulation changes these delicately-set functions. Population growth has been identified as an immediate cause of greenhouse emissions. These emissions are increased due to “increased material extraction, deforestation, industrial agriculture,” and many other forms of man-made production.[1] These acts take massive tolls on Earth’s resources because there is an influx of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses in the air. These acts would be necessary to support an overpopulated group of people, yet they would destroy nature’s balance with the resources and animals around it. This will affect my life along with others’ lives because we will face soul-blazing forest fires and unbearable weather conditions as long as overpopulation continues to harm Earth’s climate.

Along with greenhouse gasses released in the air due to overpopulation, there will also be added pollution. This will affect my life and others’ lives incredibly because pollution decimates the resources people can use for nutrition and recreation. As an example, “In 2004, 31 states had statewide fish consumption advisories in place because of toxic pollution.”[2] Since overpopulation leads to a lesser amount of fish, people would have to limit their consumption. In the future, this would not just apply to fish, but to a multitude of animals and plants that many people once enjoyed. Added pollution will be one of the largest effects of overpopulation in the future, which will affect my life greatly because there may be many shortages of goods once enjoyed around the world.

Along with climate change and pollution, social inequality would be a large aspect of the future due to overpopulation. When there is a lack of resources in the world, it becomes difficult “for low-income and lower-middle-income countries to commit sufficient resources to improving the health and education of their populations.”[3] This means that overpopulation would lead to a further imbalance in society in which people are limited in their ability to succeed. Without an equal playing field, people may lose hope in society and find a lack of joy in everyday life. This would be significant for my life and the lives of others because a life without hope of advancement would be unbearably bleak. If overpopulation continues at the rate predicted by the  U.S. Census Bureau, a lack of social and economic equality would be incredibly apparent.

As I look around the world in the future, the three aspects of my life most affected by population growth will be climate, pollution, and social inequality. Life would be surrounded by disastrous natural events due to climate change, scarcities of precious animals and plants, and social imbalances in society. In order to ensure a bright future filled with pleasant climate, an abundance of natural resources, and greater life satisfaction, we must take action to slow the population growth.

$1,000 Madelyn Heckert Portland State University

Not a Movie Title but Real Life: The Impending Crush of People in 2060

A few years ago, my dad’s company eliminated his job, and we moved in with my grandparents. The house was a decent size, but even so, my grandpa got really stressed out about the noise and the lack of privacy. There weren’t enough seats for everyone to sit at the kitchen table and there were never enough snacks. Eventually, my dad found a job, we moved out, and my grandparents got their quiet house back. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy to solve when it’s not a house that’s overcrowded, but the whole United States. This country is expected to grow from 334 million people in 2020 to 404 million by 2060. If we don’t make changes to stop this from happening, the repercussions will be significant. I will be impacted by the resulting climate change, the shortages of resources, and the psychological distress of being stuck in a clown car from which there is no escape.

We’re already seeing climate change. We’ve known for a long time that human activities that create greenhouse gases like CO2 cause climate change. Adding more people will accelerate climate change. The results would be a catastrophic chain of events, causing weather-related crises and widespread diseases, threatening our health/overall well-being. I would have to suffer through more pandemics and more natural disasters, while watching sadly as habitats disappear and animals go extinct.

Remember how there were never enough snacks for everyone in my grandma’s house? Well, if the United States population grows to 404 million, the problem will be more than just a snack shortage. Demand for food in general will increase and food shortages like the kind we experienced during COVID will be common. Food won’t be the only commodity affected. We’ll have to change the way we collect and/or use water as it would be impossible to meet the growing demand. Virtually, everything we consume would be affected. When more people compete for a limited amount of something, like housing, prices skyrocket. I will likely spend a lot of time worrying over how to afford the necessities.

Another effect of population growth will be psychological. Dense neighborhoods drive up noise and crime, negatively impacting psychological well-being. It will be like that terrible crush of holiday traffic at the beginning of a long weekend, but instead it will be all the time, all year round. Every time you leave home, it will be like what happens when you leave a sports game; you’ll be surrounded by people, everywhere you look. In addition to the stress of overcrowding, there’s also the stress of the other effects – having to deal with climate change and its terrible repercussions, combined with the endless economic struggle of sky high prices.

It sounds like a survivalist movie – too many people and not enough water or food or housing – but it will be the reality of this country if we don’t make changes. Just like there weren’t endless amounts of chairs around my grandma’s kitchen table, there aren’t endless spaces here in the United States. We need to be careful to not overpopulate our planet so that all of the people living in the future have the same opportunities for health and well-being that people living right now have. Let’s make changes now before it’s too late.

$1,000 Domnica Reutov Portland State University

The U.S. Census Bureau predicts the U.S. population may reach 404 million by 2060. This increase in population creates a slew of problems, such as an increase in disease outbreaks, water insecurity, and an increase in emissions which contribute to climate change.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. As cases of COVID-19 increased, weaknesses in the United States healthcare system began revealing themselves. This, mixed with citizens’ reluctance to follow guidelines and the lack of coordination from government offices, proved that action needs to be taken to prevent future pandemics. “However, infectious disease outbreaks have been increasing over the last decades. The exponential growth of the human population has led to increased urbanization which accelerates epidemics, as was the case with COVID-19 in Wuhan” (Spernovasilis at el.). Overpopulation and urbanization go hand in hand. Densely populated areas accelerate disease outbreaks. This was very apparent in New York City. New York is the largest city in the United States, which is a significant reason why the city consistently ranked highest for confirmed cases and deaths of COVID-19 (Bean). If actions against overpopulation are not taken, pandemics such as COVID-19 will become more frequent.

Fresh water is a fundamental human right. However, many people need to remember that it is a finite resource becoming less and less available. Humans rely on water to consume, cook, wash, and clean. It is estimated that in this year, 2023, “2.2 million people in the United States are without running water and basic indoor plumbing, and more than 44 million people have inadequate water systems” (Rees). Many Americans face water insecurity due to groundwater exhaustion, climate change conditions, and contamination, and with an increased population, these causes will only be exaggerated. Wells will dry out faster on account of increased use; climate change will worsen due to the rise in greenhouse gasses released due to a higher demand for products and services from the larger population, causing millions of Americans to be without water. Although America is a developed country, millions of its citizens face issues obtaining a fundamental human need: water. If this is already a problem, it will only intensify with a larger population.

Climate change creates long term-shifts in temperature and weather patterns, and since the 1800s, human activity has been the main driver of climate change (United Nations). Climate change can worsen our air and water quality, increase the spread of certain diseases and change the frequency and intensity of severe weather events (EPA). As greenhouse emissions increase, these issues will become more common. It is stated by Population Connection that:

Population growth and increasing consumption tend to increase emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gasses. Moreover, rapid population growth worsens the impacts of climate change by straining resources and exposing more people to climate-related risks—especially in low-resource regions (Population Connection).

Climate change affects everyone, and as the population grows, the intensity of climate change will grow with it.

It is clear that the United States has limited resources, and with those limitations, there is a limit on the number of people the country can support. An increase in exposure to disease outbreaks, water scarcity, and the effects of climate change don’t only affect an individual but the entire country. Because of this, action must be taken to prevent issues like these from progressing.

'There comes a time when silence is betrayal' Lansing students' essays speak up on equality

The  Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan's annual essay contest was open to Lansing-area high school and middle school students – with a special scholarship component for graduating seniors.

The essays of the 2020 Mark S. McDaniel Legacy Scholarship Contest and essay contest winners are below. All scholarship and essay winners will be honored on Monday, Jan. 20, at the 35th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Luncheon.

The luncheon will be held at the Lansing Center at 333 E. Michigan Ave. and begins at 11 a.m.; doors open at 10:30 a.m.

This year’s theme: "There comes a time when silence is betrayal."

Scholarship winners (two) will receive $5,000 prizes; three other finalists will receive $2,500 prizes. Essay contest winners receive $500 for first place, $350 for second place and $150 for third place (in both divisions).

Scholarship contest winners

Madison Duncan , East Lansing High School (winner)

Cayla Ellis , Lansing Christian School (winner)

Keyana Pugh , Everett High School (finalist)

Chiffa Abdullah-Hassan , Everett High School (finalist)

Kayla Edwards , East Lansing High School (finalist)

Essay contest winners (9-11th Grades)

Conner Long , East Lansing High School, 11th grade (first place)

Nia Long , East Lansing High School, 9th grade (second place)

Adam Daughtery Durr , Lansing Catholic High School, 10th grade (third place)

Essay contest winners (6-8th Grades)

Vickie Freemans , Eastern High School, 8th Grade (first place)

Ian Opel , Haslett Middle School, 8th Grade (second place)

Alicia Viaches , Haslett Middle School, 8th Grade (third place)

The essays, in order of award

Scholarship contest – madison duncan (winner).

'Silence is Betrayal'

"Silence. The complete absence of sound. Is it better to stay silent and watch injustices occur or speak up for yourself and others? These were decisions African Americans faced hundreds of years ago until they could no longer remain silent. Boycotts, sit-ins, and marches are some of the successful ways African Americans broke racial barriers. Had these civil rights leaders remained silent, we may still face segregation today.

"Last year I faced the decision to remain silent or speak up on behalf of a student at school. An English teacher confronted an African American female student during class and demanded she remove her head wrap. The teacher humiliated the student in front of her peers. She asked her African American classmates to wear head wraps to school alongside of her. As I reflect on that day, I have a better understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote, 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal.' I decided to join the movement and not betray my classmate by remaining silent.

"I wanted her, the entire student body and administration to know I had her back and support wearing head wraps as culturally appropriate. Staying silent, in fear of getting in trouble meant, 'I’m okay with educators stripping away our African American culture, ethnicity, history, and identity.' Since African American women are few in numbers at East Lansing High School, we stood out easily. Due to our stand, she received an apology from the teacher, administration, and district school board. Because of our stand, ethnic wraps and headwear are no longer a dress code violation.

"This experience taught me my voice and actions matter. Had I or the other girls refused to participate in the protest, it would’ve felt like an act of betrayal toward our classmate and injustices would have continued to exist at school. Dr. King said, 'In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.' Today the media, workplaces, and educational institutions attempt to silence African Americans by referring to their hairstyles as unnatural and unprofessional.

"African Americans are told to alter or fix their hair to accommodate counterparts who view it as distracting. After my experience, I learned silence is not an option. I never really understood the act of exercising my first amendment rights, but there in that moment I stood up for my classmate. I not only stood up for my peers, but for injustice.

"We all come from different backgrounds and should be more open to educating ourselves on our differences. That’s what Dr. King wanted. He wanted us to look past people’s appearances and not be silent against cultural bias."

Madison H. Duncan

East Lansing High School

Scholarship contest – Cayla Ellis (winner)

" 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal' has been a quote that has resonated with me since I was a little girl. As the offspring of an African American mother and a multi-racial father, I saw either looks of interest or judgment. However, I could only imagine what trials Martin Luther King Jr. and other forerunners had to endure before the silence was broken.

"During my educational journey, I thought of myself as a puzzle piece in the wrong box. I was always one of the few minority voices within my school. It seemed as if no one understood how to communicate with me without trying to 'act black' or engage in their stereotype of what black people should say or do. Countless times I was welcomed with 'what’s up my nigga' followed by a 'hip' handshake. I accepted this term since I am called to 'love my neighbor as myself.' However, I could not help but be disturbed that the same slave terminology whites used to demean my ancestors working on the plantation were now being used as a greeting. I ignored their ignorance long enough in the hopes they would eventually change. Yet, I stayed silent.

"After hearing 'go back to the cotton fields where you belong' from one of my white classmates, I began to hate the color of my skin and felt ashamed that I had just accepted this treatment and never stood up for myself or my race. I forgave him, but never forgot the mark it left on my heart for my culture and my rights.

"My silence became betrayal permitting the wrongdoing to continue. I knew there needed to be a change. Ironically, that change arrived when I supported my sister in starting a Multi-Cultural Club at my school. The main objective of the organization was to address stereotypes though personal expressions of culture by each member. When I stepped into the room, I was comfortable enough to break the silence and inform others about where I had come from and the events that had shaped me.

"Through the Multi-Cultural Club, I saw the need to bridge the gap between cultures so others can learn and be culturally aware of the need for respect of others and their backgrounds. Dr. King dreamed for others to “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” and I strive to instill that into my fellow members.

"As co-president of the club, I am working to implement a Cultural Night to promote each culture at my school and host a South African step dance. Through this club, I can be confident in my culture, represent it, and love others better."

Cayla Ellis

Lansing Christian School

Scholarship contest – Keyana Pugh (finalist)

"When we remain silent about things that matter, situations tend to get worse. Silence is the envy of our mental health. With no voice in the world, we have no way to express our true emotions, the value of words is higher than they are priced. Breaking the barrier of silence can go a long way when you utilize your words effectively. As a child the words, 'Speak when spoken to' began to sing like a broken record. Which is more than likely why this was my least favorite record to be played. The thought of not speaking up for myself just because of my age rattled my brain. There is absolutely no way to shut me up on something I feel strongly about.

"Who would’ve thought that one simple statement from a young adult such as myself would change the way a group of adults would listen to the younger generation surrounding them. 'We need to do something to make a change around here,' I stated while speaking among friends on how school was beginning to not be a positive environment anymore. Not only did I express my feelings around my friends, I actually worked for students to have a voice.

"As a sophomore student at Everett High School, I took the initiative to start a petition and relay the message of how students felt through an enormous number of emails and letters. Even with the whispers of, 'There is no point nothing will change,' I still knew that standing up for myself and others was the best decision.

"After doing some research I developed a plan on ways I could successfully improve the school environment. I thought it would be best to gain more support from other students that felt the same way as me and my friends. Getting a petition together and sitting in meetings with people with lofty titles attached to the Lansing School District made a positive impact on the situation instantly. Even though we didn’t get the result we were hoping for, speaking up still made more of a difference than if I hadn’t said anything.

" 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal' means to me that there comes a time in life when we will endure many hurdles. Some may be placed higher than others. Many hurdles will be impossible to complete alone.

"By speaking up for what we believe in and using our voices, we can make an effective change in the world that cannot be made through silence. Not only did speaking up have an impact on the school, it also helped create a sense of unity among the students."

Keyana Pugh

Everett High School

Scholarship contest – Chiffa Abdullah-Hassan (finalist)

"My youngest brother, 45 days old, was on my mother’s back, and my 2-year-old brother in her arms while my sister and I were along her side gripping onto her skirt. We walked for days to reach the other side of Sudan. During our journey, we were stopped by the Janjaweed (military forces). My mother, being the smart woman she is, had dressed my brothers as girls because she surmised that the Janjaweed would not allow any male survivors, no matter their age.

"Critical actions like this often determined whether children would survive or be shot in front of their mothers. I was 3 when our home was burned, and we were forced to flee our land. My 21-year-old mother, alone and carrying her four children, rescued us all. We fled to the Gaga refugee camp in neighboring Chad where more hardships followed. 

"Unfortunately, not many families are as lucky as we have been. The Darfur genocide, although no longer mentioned in the media as it has sadly past, sadly continues to this day. Many families struggle for primary needs, such as food, water, and clothing. Women and girls are being sexually assaulted every day. People long for safety and security and yearn for their land and normal lives back.

"My family is very fortunate to have been able to get out of the refugee camp and seek a better life. Seeing my people suffer makes me very sad because I understand what they are going though.

"While in the refugee camp, I remember feeling very empty. I felt helpless, like destiny was not in my hands. Being in America made everything possible to me: the world is right at my fingertips. I want to use the opportunities given to me to speak up for those whose voices cannot be heard; I feel that this is my purpose in life because MLK once said, 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal.' If I stay quiet and ignore my past, I would not only be turning my back on my people, but I would also be denying a part of me. I want to show them that there is a life other than the hardships in the refugee camps – beyond the killings, rapes, and the hunger.

"I work very closely with my family that began a nonprofit organization which seeks to abate the horrific conditions women and children face everyday back home. Through this organization, I am able to break my silence and be an asset to those who desperately need a voice of encouragement in a world of desperate need of hope."

Chiffa Abdullah-Hassan

Scholarship contest – Kayla Edwards (finalist)

"Silence is silent, but deadly. In 1967, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emphatically reprimanded those that would not speak up against injustice with his famous statement against the Vietnam War: 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal.'

"This phrase is often used to encourage those who would be bystanders when others are being impacted by injustice. If one does not actively fight against inequity or discrimination, they are culpable and are as much to blame as the active oppressor.

"Although Dr. King was referring to the Vietnam conflict in that famous quote, it universally applies to any situation where a powerless individual or group of people have been abandoned by others in their community who are not being targeted or affected. One example of this involves U.S. citizens that are affected by food insecurity, which is the term used to describe 'the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable nutritious food.' Food insecurity rates in Michigan have skyrocketed since the Great Recession of 2007.

"Many of our neighbors regularly are faced with choosing between food and other necessities such as shelter, medicine and transportation. To compound this, there is an even larger gap when nutritious and healthy food is discussed. Some neighborhoods do not have healthy grocery shopping alternative and its residents are forced to purchase substandard products at an elevated price.

"Too many of us betray other members of our communities every day. By witnessing the scourge of hunger in our own neighborhoods, we are betraying ourselves, our God, and the principles that our ancestors fought and died for. Martin Niemoller, a German pastor during Hitler’s rise to power, wrote a poem called 'First they Came' which aptly describes the cowardice which causes people not to support others and as a result, leave them with no advocates when they are attacked.

" First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out –

Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out –

Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out –

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me. "

"I challenge you today to speak up with your actions. Speak up by finding an organization with low administrative costs that combats hunger! Speak up by including a hungry neighbor in your weekly meal plan! Speak up by sacrificing your spare change so that one less person will go to sleep hungry. Be silent no more! Speak up!"

Kayla Edwards 

First place essay contest winner: Conner Long (9-11th Grades)

'How You See Me'

"I was told by my parents in my early years,

that driving while black could create within me

A deep sense of fear.

"License in hand for less than 30 days,

the police car behind me on my way home from school

caused my eyebrows to raise.

"The sirens blared. I was scared.

Would I be #ConnerLong? Did they even care?

…That my life mattered.

"My hands tightly gripped the wheel!

While my mind scanned the faced of

Treyvon Martin, Philando Castile, and Emmitt Till.

"A good student I am. I get good grades!

From my teachers, coaches, and mentors

I always receive high praise.

" 'We thought your light was out'.

the officer would say.

'But it looks like it’s not.

You’re free to go on your way'.

"I sat still in the car and hung my head in shame

knowing being pulled over

was all part of the racial profiling game.

"Driving while black…

Walking while black…

Just being black stirs a different kind of hate.

Yes, it makes some people irate with nowhere to escape.

"Take off your shady sunglasses, Officer…

So, your vision can be crystal clear.

CONFESS that you enjoy seeing my anger, frustration, and fears.

"The shackles placed on our feet

is your attempt to hold us down.

You wanna label me a thug or hoodlum just because I’m brown!

"No, I will not be a statistic!

My mom will not bury her only son,

these actions are not OK…

a change IS GONNA come!

"I will not remain silent,

Because that means you have won.

I will not remain silent,

Because, I. AM. my Ancestors' son!"

Conner Long

Second place essay contest winner: Nia Long (9-11th Grades)

'If You Remain Silent'

"At 6-years old, my BFF would say,

'Let’s play together at recess and hang out the rest of the day'.

"Even at this young age we recognized our physical contrast was stark.

Her skin was pale and light; Mine more medium to dark.

" 'Black girl with big lips!'

Kids that looked like her would shout.

“Are you from Africa? Why does your hair look like that?”

They would scream out…

"You turn your head in shame…

You may have even shed a tear.

But you didn’t yell for them to stop,

Your SILENCE was loud and clear.

"Slowly, very slowly you separated yourself from me.

At that age I didn’t understand why,

All I knew is that I felt empty.

"I am older now and very aware…

I carry burdens simply for being brown,

A burden your shoulders will never bare.

"Today… I love and embrace the skin I’m in.

My black is beautiful.

My color is not a sin.

"Your silence in times of adversity,

Is probably the biggest clue…

That while you want our rhythm,

You don’t want our blues.

"Will you stand with me if our state is Red or Blue?

Or, are you only my friend when it’s easy for you?

"The world around me

Is growing more wicked and violent.

You cannot be my friend or ally

If you remain silent."

Third place essay contest winner: Adam Daughtery Durr (9th-11th Grades)

"The Civil Rights Movement stands as a strong reminder of both the perpetuated injustice throughout our history and our ability to overcome it. We know that had the government been truly for the people there would have been no Civil Rights Movement. Had all people been truly free there would have been no Civil Rights Movement. Had our nation lived up to its founding ideals there would have been no Civil Rights Movement.

"But we are, through long struggle, living up to the promises of our nation. We are, through everyone who has stood up in every generation, living up to the mission of a more perfect union.

"We are fulfilling the dream of liberty and justice for all through every hard-fought victory. We are not perfect, and we never have been, but what is undeniable is how far we have come to where we are now.

"We trace our history in a long, continuous arc through all of our failings and triumphs, the weight of which lands squarely on our shoulders. We are not perfect but if our history has taught us anything it is that we are not bound by our mistakes, even by our lifetimes. The struggles toward our perfect union will long surpass us, but our progress will push our nation on forever.

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal, and there come many times when silence is the undoubtedly easier option. But America did not overcome injustice by people being silent.

"This is why we must carry on Dr. King’s mission. This is why we must not stay silent. Because silence in the face of injustice is a betrayal to the oppressed and to the sacrifice and drams of the heroes who have lived, marched and died to bring us this far."

Adam Daughtery Durr

Lansing Catholic High School

First place essay contest winner: Vickie Freemans (6th-8th Grades)

'Say Something'

"Those eyes

The ones on your face

See everything

"And those ears

The ones on your head

Hear everything

"But those lips

The face that shows fear

Say Nothing

Feel Nothing

You turn your Head

And go the other direction

"If you walk away

You will betray

If you betray

You will forever be weighed down

With the burden that is Guilt

"So, Say Something

Do Something

Because your Silence

Is their betrayal"

Vickie Freemans

Eastern High School, 8th grade

Second place essay contest winner: Ian Opel (6th-8th Grades)

"It’s Monday and you’re out of bed and ready to have a great day at school. You hear the bus stop outside your house, and you are ready and eager to jump on. 

"As you go to sit with your friend you see a kid get pushed out of his seat by the bigger kids and yelled at to sit somewhere else. He sulks around to find another seat and the bus keeps moving. You may choose to think nothing of it. That he will be fine.

"You get off the bus and move along with your day. As you’re walking to your next class you see the same big kids push around the kid that was on the bus. Again, you choose to say nothing. Every day you see that kid get pushed around and made fun of and everyday you choose to say nothing when you could have been the hero of his story. Words have power.

"By using your words and telling an adult or teacher, you could have helped end his suffering but instead you say nothing and let it happen. Saying nothing is almost as bad as being the bullies. One in four kids reports being bullied in school every year. By saying something, you could help lower that number.

"Martin Luther King Jr. himself once said: 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal.' That time is now. Now is the time that anyone and everyone needs to act against bullying. When we do, we can create a better future for all of us.

Haslett Middle School, 8th grade

Third place essay contest winner: Alicia Viaches (6th-8th Grades)

"There comes a time when silence is the only option you think you have.

"The times where you don’t want to speak, the times when you know you need to speak.

"The time comes when your silence is betrayal.

"The time where your words could have helped someone.

"The time where your words could have saved someone.

"But you just sit there, silent.

"Your words could have helped someone out of the deepest of downward spirals.

"Your words could have meant the world to someone you don’t even know.

"And yet, you still sit there. Silent. Only worrying about yourself.

"But silence is not the only option you have.

"Speak up for what you believe in.

"Speak out against bullying.

"Express your thoughts in ways you never thought you could.

"Silence doesn’t have to be your only option, when your voice is the most powerful thing in the world."

Alicia Viaches

25 college scholarships high school seniors can still apply for

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Prices keep going up for college students. This year, attending some American colleges and universities is expected to cost students more than $90,000 a year.

Granted, that’s based on figures for tuition, room and board and other expenses from some of the country’s most elite private institutions. Even so, the Education Data Initiative reports that the average private college student living on campus actually spends about $55,840 per year, with $38,768 of it going towards tuition and fees). And students at public universities spend an average of about $26,027 per year.

That’s still quite a chunk of change, even if you’ve decided it’s worth the cost . In fact, college prices have risen by 169% since 1980, according to a report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce . If you’re a high school senior or college student (or the parent of one) who is trying to figure out how to pay these bills, you may want to consider some of the scholarships available to defray costs.

And while the deadlines of some scholarships have passed, there are still lots of options if you act fast. Here are 25 scholarships for high school seniors.

Scholarships That Award Over $15,000

1. breakthrough junior challenge: $250,000.

Deadline to apply:  June 25, 2024

Who’s eligible : High school students

This generous scholarship is offered by the philanthropists Yuri and Julia Milner, who have a special interest in science and technology. To apply, you create a 2-minute video that explains a scientific or mathematical theory or principle.  Think creatively and incorporate elements like diagrams, simulations and physical demonstrations.

If you submit the most impressive video, you’ll receive a $250,000 scholarship to college. Your teacher will receive $50,000, and your school will receive $100,000 for a science lab. Apply here .

2. Niche ‘No Essay’ Scholarship: $25,000

Deadline to apply:  May 31, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year

Niche is a ranking and review site that runs a scholarship directory and offers many of its own scholarships. This one couldn’t be easier to apply for. Start by creating a Niche account. Then fill out the online application; the winner will be determined in a random drawing by June 15, 2024. They will contact you if you were selected. Apply here .

3. ‘Be Bold’ No-Essay Scholarship: $25,055

Deadline to apply: May 1, 2024

Who’s eligible: Any student of any age or education level

Bold.org is a scholarship search website. To apply for any of their scholarships, you’ll need to create a free profile on the site. And the site wants to challenge you to create the boldest one.

What does being bold mean to you? The folks at the “Be Bold” Scholarship define it in three words: earnest, determined and moving. If your profile does the best job of matching this description, you could win $25,055 towards your college education. The eligibility requirements don’t mention a minimum GPA. All you need to be is … bold!  Apply here ASAP, as the scholarship favors early applicants for rolling application deadlines.

4. Ayn Rand Scholarship: ‘The Fountainhead’ Essay Contest: $25,000

Deadline to apply:  June 7, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school juniors and seniors

The Ayn Rand Institute offers rolling essay contests three times a year to encourage students to engage with this prominent novelist’s works and ideas. The upcoming summer essay contest for “The Fountainhead” is currently open.

You’ll write a double-spaced essay that’s between 800 and 1,600 words, based on a prompt question (about the book) that The Ayn Rand Institute provides. If you are one of the top three entries, you’ll receive a cash prize of up to $3,000, and the first-place entry from each season will go on to compete against the other seasonal winners for an annual grand prize of $25,000. You can spend the money on college — or anything else you like. Apply here .

5. Ayn Rand Scholarship: ‘Atlas Shrugged’ Essay Contest: $25,000

Deadline to apply:  June 14, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors, college students and graduate students

Another one of The Ayn Rand Institute’s rolling essay contests is based on her novel “Atlas Shrugged.” The upcoming summer essay contest for this novel is currently open.

You’ll write a double-spaced essay that’s between 800 and 1,600 words, based on a prompt question about the book that The Ayn Rand Institute provides. If you are one of the top three entries, you’ll receive a cash prize up to $3,000, and the first-place entry from each season will go on to compete against the other seasonal winners for an annual grand prize of $25,000. You can spend the money on college or anything else. Apply here .

Scholarships That Award Between $5,000 and $15,000

6. stuck at prom scholarship contest: $15,000.

Deadline to apply:  June 5, 2024

Who’s eligible: All high school students

Well, this is a fun one. To win the Stuck at Prom scholarship, you need to make your own prom outfit (a dress or a tux) completely out of Duck Brand duct tape or Duck Brand crafting tape. Then fill out the online entry form, which includes a place for you to upload at least one photo of yourself wearing this DIY prom outfit. You can submit up to five photos.

The entry form will ask you to supply some written details about your creation or to upload a video showing the requested details. The first-place winners for dress and tux will each be awarded $15,000, while four runners-up in each category will win $1,000 each. And this year they will also be handing out “Judges’ Choice” awards worth $1,000 each to three finalists. Apply here .

7. ScienceSaves High School Video Scholarship: $10,000

Deadline to apply:  May 6, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors

Not a big fan of writing essays? This scholarship contest asks entrants to create a 20-30 second video, answering the question, “What has science done for me?” or “What has science done for somebody I know?”

Be creative! You can use photos, video clips and text. Add the hashtag #ScienceSaves to your video before uploading it. While the grand prize winner will receive $10,000, there will also be prizes for 2nd place ($2,000), 3rd place ($1,000), and 4th place finishers ($500). Apply here .

8. Exceptional Youth Scholarship: $10,000

Deadline to apply:  May 17, 2024

Who’s eligible:  high school seniors

This scholarship is offered through The Foundation for Global Sports Development, and it’s indeed designed for an extraordinary young person. To apply, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have devoted at least 100 hours to some form of community service, volunteerism or mentorship activities.

It’s also need-based, so you’ll be required to submit a completed FAFSA form (which is the application for federal student aid) and other financial materials. You’ll also need two letters of recommendation (one from your school and one from your community). Ten graduating seniors will each receive this $10,000 scholarship. Apply here .

9. Ted and Holly Rollins Scholarship: $5,000

Deadline to apply:  June 1, 2024

Can you write a compelling essay? For this scholarship contest, you’ll submit at least 500 words that tell your life story, describe your interest in your intended field of study, and/or explain how you plan to impact the world. If you write the winning essay, you’ll be notified by July 15, 2024. Apply here .

10. Ryan T. Herich Memorial Scholarship: $5,000

Deadline to apply:  April 15, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school students or college undergraduates who are studying or plan to study political science, cultural anthropology, geography or history

This scholarship was set up in the memory of Ryan T. Herich, who was interested in how history, culture and politics affect our world today. To apply, incorporate these themes in a 400- to 600-word essay about how you intend to make a difference in the world. Three winners (who will each receive $5,000) will be announced on May 15, 2024. Apply here .

Scholarships That Award Between $1,000 and $3,000

11. all about education scholarship: $3,000.

Deadline to apply:  April 30, 2024

Who’s eligible:  U.S. residents ages 14 and up

This scholarship is through Unigo, a college scholarship directory and search site. To apply, you have to sign up for a free account. Then submit an essay of 250 words or less responding to the question: “How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?” Apply here .

12. There’s Space For Everyone Scholarship: $3,000

Who’s eligible: High school seniors, undergraduates and graduates enrolled in school

Extra Space Storage is in the business of offering self-storage facilities, but they also offer an annual college scholarship. To apply, fill out the online application form, which includes an essay on the following topic: “How have you exhibited a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, or social justice through work, service, or other extra-curricular activities, and how will your education help you continue this commitment during college and beyond?”

The company will give out eight $3,000 scholarships. Five will go to any student attending or planning to attend a college or university in the U.S., and three are reserved for employees or immediate family members of Extra Space Storage. The winners will be announced on June 21, 2024. Apply here .

13. American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship: $2,500

Who’s eligible: High school students

This is a bi-annual award in which five recipients win each time — with a total of 10 scholarships awarded each year. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 each. To apply, submit a completed application along with your most recent high school transcript and a 500-word essay on “Why College is Important to Me.”

The site posts photos of past winners along with their essays, so you can see what impresses the judges. The winners are announced on July 12, 2024, and the awards are distributed on July 31, 2024. Apply here .

14. Creativity Leads to Success Scholarship: $2,500

Deadline to apply:  June 15, 2024

Who’s eligible: Students who are 18 years or older and attending college or grad school by fall 2024

The Dixie Belle paint company awards $5,000 in scholarship money every year. The first-prize winner will receive $2,500, while two runners-up will receive $1,250 each.

To apply, fill out their online application and submit an essay of no more than 500 words that answers the question: “How has creativity helped you in problem solving?” If you’re a finalist, you will be notified on or about Aug. 15, 2024. Apply here .

15. Rover Scholarship: $2,500

Deadline to apply:  May 1, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors and college undergraduates

Rover.com is a pet-sitter marketplace that offers a $2,500 scholarship towards higher education. To apply, you must have a 3.0 GPA. Fill out their online form and submit an essay of 400-500 words on the following topic: “How did growing up with a pet in your life (could be a friend’s or family member’s) impact the person you are today?”

The winner will be notified by May 31, 2024. Apply here .

16. Goodwall #ScholarshipNow Challenge: $2,500

Who’s eligible: High school, college and graduate students and those planning to enroll within 12 months

This scholarship is funded by Goodwall, a skills-based social network that prepares young people for careers. To enter this scholarship contest, download the Goodwall app and create a profile. Submit a short video (between 30 seconds and three minutes long) in which you describe how this scholarship can help you reach your educational and professional goals. Make sure to add the hashtag #ScholarshipNow. Apply here .

17. RonranGlee Literary Scholarship: $2,000

Deadline to apply:  April 22, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors and college undergraduate students

If you have a knack for close reading, this is the scholarship for you. The people at the RonranGlee Literary Scholarship want to see how well you can interpret the underlying meaning in texts. To apply, choose a paragraph (preferably from an ancient literature or philosophy book) and write a short essay that is between 600 and 2,000 words, explaining what’s being conveyed between the lines.

Five winners will be announced on May 22, 2024. Apply here.

18. CollegeVine No Essay Contest: $2,000

Deadline to apply:  June 30, 2024

Who’s eligible: Current high school students and college applicants

CollegeVine is a website that provides college admissions guidance. To take part in this scholarship sweepstakes, you will need to sign up for a CollegeVine account and complete your profile. A random drawing determines the winner. If it’s you, you’ll be notified with an email. Apply here .

19. Sallie Mae Scholarship Sweepstakes: $2,000

Deadline to apply: The last day of every month (the current deadline is April 30)

Who’s eligible: High school juniors, seniors and college undergraduates (and parents can apply, too)

Sallie Mae has a search database with lots of scholarship options. But this particular sweepstakes is the easiest: Fill out a form to enter, and a winner is chosen at random every month. There’s no essay and no GPA requirement — just a form that takes less than two minutes to fill out! Apply here .

20. Ayn Rand Scholarship: ‘Anthem’ Essay Contest: $2,000

Who’s eligible:  8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students

To participate, you’ll submit an essay that’s between 600 and 1,200 words, double-spaced. For the topic, you can choose from among three prompt questions related to Ayn Rand’s novella “Anthem.”

This is significantly easier than the Ayn Rand Institute’s other two essay contests since this novella is only about 100 pages long. The top prize is $2,000, and other finalists will receive between $500 and $1,000.  Apply here .

21. Too Cool To Pay For School Sweepstakes: $1,000

Deadline to apply: Quarterly on the last day of March, June, September and December

Who’s eligible: High school juniors, seniors and college undergrads

This sweepstakes is run through Access Scholarships, an online scholarship search engine. Applying for this one couldn’t be simpler — all you need to do is fill out the online form.  Follow them on Instagram , and they’ll enter you twice. A random drawing determines the winner. You’ll get an email from them if you win. Apply here .

22. Gen & Kelly Tanabe Scholarship: $1,000

Deadline to apply:  July 31, 2024

Who’s eligible: High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students

The scholarship is funded by Gen and Kelly Tanabe, the authors of “ The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2024: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes .” Entrants submit a 250-word personal statement about why you deserve to win this scholarship or about your academic or career goals. You can also write about any topic of your choice. Apply here .

23. ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship: $1,000

Deadline to apply: The last business day of each month (next deadline is April 29, 2024)

Who’s eligible: High school and college students who will be enrolled in school within three months of the award

ScholarshipOwl is an online scholarship matching service. Each month, they hold a random drawing for this $1,000 scholarship, and four students win every time. To participate, sign up for a free account and fill out their online application form, which doesn’t require an essay. The next draw date is May 11.  Apply here .

24. Blaze Your Own Trail Scholarship: $1,000

This scholarship contest is funded by Trail Heads, a company that makes headbands, gloves, hats and other accessories for outdoor sports. To enter, you’ll need to write a 600-800 word essay about a challenge you faced. Describe how you overcame this obstacle and how it affected you going forward. Also, you have to submit your latest transcript with your GPA.

The winner will be announced on the Trail Heads website on Aug. 6, 2024. Apply here .

25. American Heart Challenge Scholarship: $1,000

Who’s eligible: High school juniors or seniors

This scholarship is for juniors and seniors who have shown leadership skills at their school’s American Heart Challenge program, which aims to educate young people about healthy lifestyle habits while raising money to help end heart disease and stroke. To apply,  fill out a short online application and upload a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Apply here .

About the Author

Jennifer has written features and essays for over a dozen magazines, including American Baby, Cosmo, Cosmo Girl, Fit Pregnancy, Good Housekeeping, Health, Marie Claire, Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Self, Teen People, TV Guide, and YM. More.

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The AGC Education & Research Foundation Announces Kendall Dewey as the 2024 James L. Allhands Essay Winner

The legacy of James L. Allhands, a pioneer in the construction industry and a founding member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC), continues to inspire and shape the future of construction education through the James L. Allhands Essay Competition. Established in his honor, this esteemed competition aims to recognize outstanding student essays that contribute to the advancement of technological, educational, or vocational expertise in the construction industry.

This year, the competition invited senior-level students from ABET or ACCE-accredited university construction management or construction-related engineering programs to reflect on the question, "Why should a career in construction be attractive to today's students, and what changes by the industry and individual employers would make it even more attractive?" Eleven essays were submitted and meticulously reviewed by the selection committee.

The first-place winner, Kendall Dewey of Purdue University, has been selected for her insightful essay. Her essay eloquently articulates the compelling reasons why a career in construction holds immense appeal for today's students and proposes innovative changes that could further enhance the industry's attractiveness. Kendall received $1,000 and her faculty sponsor, Dr. Theodore Weidner received $500. Both the recipient and sponsor were invited as guests of the Foundation to the AGC Annual Convention this past March.

In addition to Kendall Dewey's outstanding achievement, Jacob Nelson of the University of Maine secured second place, and Alivia DeGotta of East Carolina University earned third place. Their essays stood out for their depth of analysis and creative perspectives on the topic.

Looking ahead, the 2025 James L. Allhands Essay Competition will delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the construction industry. The essay topic, "How will AI change the construction industry in the next 5 years? What will the role of artificial intelligence be in the construction industry, its future, applications, effects on the industry and those who work in the industry, pros, and cons?" promises to spark engaging discussions and innovative insights. The competition details will be available on the AGC Foundation website in July 2024, inviting aspiring students to share their perspectives on this dynamic subject.

Congratulations to all the contest winners and participants. Their dedication to advancing the construction industry's knowledge and expertise is truly commendable.

Latah County Human Rights Task Force

Strengthening the bonds of community to embrace diversity and reject bigotry..

Welcome to the Latah County Human Rights Task Force webpage!

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 MLK Art and Essay Contest winners!

This year’s theme was FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OUR LIBRARIES

The winners for the Art Contest were Cece Rose Ristene (St. Mary’s), Eduarda Gurge (Moscow Charter), Quinten Rowley (Moscow Charter), Hayley Cohee (Moscow Charter),

The winners for the Essay Contest included Cordelia Haley (Lena Whitmore), Leo Johnson (St. Mary’s), Fern Newlan (St. Mary’s), Catherine Apt (McDonald), Amy Zhou (Moscow Charter School), Naya Lee (Lena Whitmore), Emily Scout Heward (Lena Whitmore), Nora Algarni (Moscow Middle School), Lillian Camin, (Moscow Middle School), and Morgan Apt (Moscow High School).

A little about us and ways to become involved!

Our 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast on January 21st was a great success with an excellent presentation by Dr. Scott Finnie. A video of the Breakfast, including the Rosa Parks Awards and Dr. Finnie’s speech is now available here: 2023 Breakfast and Friends of Human Rights .

The Rosa Parks Award winners are available here: 2023 Rosa Parks Award Winners | Latah County Human Rights Task Force (humanrightslatah.org)

The Art and Essay Contest winners are available here: 2023 Art and Essay Contest Winners | Latah County Human Rights Task Force (humanrightslatah.org)

Dr. Scott Finnie’s Keynote address at the 2023 MLK Jr. Breakfast:

AREA RESPONSE TO ANTISEMITISM

Check out the recent Palouse Pride Day under Recent Events here: Palouse Pride Day 2021

Our mission:  To work for social justice for all people by supporting diversity, respect, and inclusiveness, while opposing bigotry, harassment, and discrimination.

Please click our Announcements tab for current or upcoming events. (For upcoming events visit: Upcoming Events )

These are annual events that the Task Force currently sponsors:

• Martin Luther King Art and Essay Contest – January
• Presentation of Rosa Parks Human Rights Achievement Awards – January
• Human Rights Day at the Moscow Farmer’s Market – September (Visit: HR Day )
• Great Moscow Food Drive – August
• Human Rights Education Programs for Area Schools – throughout the school year

and we encourage you to attend or support us in these events.

Meetings of the Latah County Human Rights Task Force are generally held the second Thursday of each month, and you are welcome to attend.

Please visit our Facebook page: Facebook

If you are interested in joining, volunteering, or attending a meeting, please see our Contact Us page: Contact Us

Perry High School students win 2024 Perry Optimist essay contest

Perry Optimist Club handed out medals to the local essay contest winners during its meeting on Wednesday, April 3 at the Hotel Pattee.

Linda Andorf, who facilitated the contest, said DMACC VanKirk Career Academy's Linda Kaufman assigned a writing assignment to her Perry High School/DMACC students. The assignment was graded and was then judged anonymously by Perry Optimist Club members. This year, 32 essays were submitted and four places were awarded.

Erika Guardado won first place while Jennifer Ramos received second place. Mia Munoz and Kain Killmer tied for third place.

The prompt for this year’s contest was "Optimism: How it Connects Us."

Guardado’s essay has been sent to the district level. She will also receive a $500 scholarship during the senior awards assembly in May.

Immerse Education Essay Competition 2024

Published: 09 Apr 2024 260 views

The Immerse Education Essay Competition provides the opportunity for students aged 13-18 to submit essay responses to a question of their choice relating to a subject of interest. There are over twenty questions to choose from which can be found in the full Essay Competition Guide. 10 winners will receive a 100% scholarship to study at a world-leading university of their choosing. Outstanding runners-up also receive partial scholarships.

• Table of Content

About Immerse Education

Essay competition, aim and benefits of essay competition, requirements for essay competition qualification, application deadline, how to apply.

Immerse Education was founded in 2012 with the aim of providing students aged 13-18 with unparalleled educational experiences. We have educated thousands of students through our exceptional academic enrichment programmes in the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge University, University College London and the University of Sydney. Check out our courses in Cambridge, Oxford, London, Sydney and Online courses. At Immerse, we are committed to the highest quality of education. Our programmes are unique in their focus on academic rigour, stimulating our participant&rsqu... continue reading

• Funded scholarship to study abroad:  The essay competition offers students like you the chance to win a full or partial scholarship to one of their Online Programmes or residential programmes in locations such as Oxford, Cambridge, Sydney, London and more.
• Ongoing support from Immerse while you write:  Full support from the team as you write your essay, with free guides and top tips to help you along the way. Sign up to receive the full Essay competition Guide and free tips and tricks as you write.
• Demonstrate what you know:  The competition is a chance for you to demonstrate your content knowledge by answering advanced university-style questions.
• Build your skills and knowledge:  The opportunity to apply and advance your essay writing skills. You will likely learn something new in the process!
• Develop your self-discipline:  A chance to strengthen your self-discipline as you commit to a challenging project and complete it from start to finish.
• 1st place: 10 winners will receive a 100% scholarship.
• Runners Up will be awarded partial scholarships of up to 50% to study their chosen subject with Immerse. The number of runners-up will be determined by the number of entries received and the quality of the work submitted. Usually, around 7% of entrants receive scholarship funding to attend an Immerse programme.
• The Immerse Education Essay Competition is open to students worldwide of all nationalities.
• You must be aged between 13-18 during your chosen programme.
• Be interested in all subjects, from Architecture to Medicine, Creative Writing to Film Studies.

For more details, visit  Immerse Education website

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