Texas History Essay Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Sons of the Republic of Texas
Please read every contest rule carefully. Requirements such as double-spacing, use of footnotes, and spell-check will be strictly enforced. Essays that do not comply with every rule will be disqualified.
Eligibility
- Open to graduating seniors at any high school. Students taking History, Government, or English courses are especially encouraged to enter.
- Up to three winners will be selected (the three best essays, if submissions merit awards). Winners will be acknowledged and presented their prizes by the Sons of the Republic of Texas during the annual San Jacinto Celebration in Houston. Awards will be issued as scholarships to the college chosen by each winner or may be paid directly to the student.
Purpose
- This contest aims to inspire students to study the distinct character of Texas and Texans. Entrants should examine the pioneer spirit on the early frontier, the ways settlers achieved goals under difficult conditions, and the legacy of those efforts visible in Texas today. The contest seeks to prompt thoughtful reflection by young people who will soon assume responsibilities at local, state, national, and international levels.
Topic
- Each year students are invited to submit essays that demonstrate knowledge of Texas history and analyze its role in shaping the state.
Submission Rules and Formatting
- Full contest rules are available on the downloadable application; please consult it before preparing your entry.
- Submit five printed copies of the essay plus one copy on CD.
- Manuscripts must be double-spaced and spell-checked.
- Citations and notes must follow either The Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian’s Manual for Writers. Examples of endnotes and a bibliography are included in the sample materials.
- All factual material must be drawn from reliable published sources (books or magazines). Authors and publishers of source material must be properly credited.
Judging Criteria
- Entries will be evaluated on depth of research into Texas history, originality of thought and expression, and overall organization.
If you have questions about any requirement, refer to the application or contact the contest organizers before submitting. Failure to adhere to the stated rules will result in rejection of the entry.