american foreign service association essay contest

HSFSA Essay Contest

The HSFSA is working with the American Foreign Service Association to provide a free essay contest to help high school students prepare for AFSA's National High School Essay Contest .

Having the same policies, the same judges, and a similar topic structure, this contest provides the perfect opportunity for students to master the ways to success in the main contest.

Winners Announced!

The High School Foreign Service Association would like to thank all students who participated in the organization's first essay contest! The judges were impressed by the quality and diversity of the submissions. All participants received their judge scoring sheet, which gave specific comments and scores regarding the quality of the submission as well as offering advice for improvement. The top 15 students also took part in a feedback webinar, learning about how to approach diplomacy-themed essays, how to structure their work and research, and much more.

We would like to congratulate:

Owen Wu from Walton High School for receiving 1st place

Olivia Schwab from Oswego East High School for receiving 2nd place

We would also like to give special recognition to the HSFSA chapter at Arroyo High School for having the greatest number of participants originating from a single school.

The HSFSA would like to express gratitude to the American Foreign Service Association for its assistance with judging, sponsoring, and organizing the essay contest, and we look forward to conducting more essay contests in the future.

Contest Info

• $200 gift card
• A copy of Inside a U.S. Embassy , signed by Ambassador Eric Rubin - the President of the American Foreign Service Association
• $100 gift card
• Judge feedback webinar - speak to the judges to learn how to improve your essay for the main contest!

Prizes are the courtesy of the American Foreign Service Association.

Contest Dates

Submissions open: October 13, 2022 (10:00 AM ET)

Submissions closed: November 6, 2022 (11:59 PM ET)

Results annnounced: November 21, 2022 (10:00 AM ET)

Eligibility

Participants must be students enrolled in grades 9-12 in a U.S. high school or an equivalent.

It is not required for a student to be part of an HSFSA chapter or any other organization to participate.

Participation is completely free.

Contest Rules

Topic: Select one form of diplomacy (i.e. economic, cultural, public, etc.) and discuss how it has evolved in the past 100 years. Feel free to select a country or region to use as an example or case study.

Length: Your essay should be no shorter than 500 and no longer than 750 words (not including the title and sources)

Sources: Standards of content and style from current edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers will be expected for (1) documentation of sources in the text of your essay; (2) the format of the list of works cited; and (3) margins and indentation. A bibliography following the MLA Handbook must be included.

Fill out the submission form below. All fields on the online form are required, including uploading a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file of your original work with a title, in English which should include a comprehensive list of sources consulted. Entries must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman or an equivalent font with a one-inch margin on all sides of the page. It is advised that you have your teacher/sponsor review your essay before submitting it.

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AFSA Essay Contest Winner Awarded Scholarship with Semester at Sea

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The Institute of Shipboard Education is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2019 American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest, Wilson King from Shepaug High School in Connecticut, will receive a full-ride scholarship to an upcoming Semester at Sea voyage.

Wilson’s essay, “From Dictatorship to Democracy,” was selected from over 600 submissions from 41 states and five different countries. Next fall, Wilson will attend the London School of Economics and Political Science. In addition to a Semester at Sea voyage, Wilson also received a trip to Washington D.C. to meet the U.S. Secretary of State, and a cash prize.

The American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest, now in its 21st year, encourages students to think critically about topics of global significance in order to inspire and empower the next generation of diplomats and foreign policy professionals.

Read more about the partnership between AFSA and Semester at Sea here .

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American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest

Deadline: April 4, 2022

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) announces this year’s National High School Essay Contest, which encourages high school students to consider important international issues and learn about the US Foreign Service. AFSA’s essay contest is also supported by the US Institute of Peace, Semester at Sea, and the National Student Leadership Conference. The 2022 topic, Partnerships for Peace in a Multipolar Era , challenges students to describe a current situation where American diplomats and peacebuilders are working with other world powers, as well as local and/or regional actors, in a conflict-affected country to champion democracy, promote human rights, and/or resolve violent conflict. The word limit is 1,250. The winner receives $2,500, a trip to DC to meet US State Department and USIP leaders, and a Semester at Sea educational voyage. The runner-up also receives great prizes. The contest is open to students in grades 9-12.

For more information, go to http://www.afsa.org/essaycontest . And be sure to download the 2022 National High School Essay Contest Study Guide.

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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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Bruce Drysdale 5th-grade student advances to national finals in DAR's essay contest

Bruce Drysdale fifth grader Lia Martinonis has advanced to the national finals in the Daughters of the American Revolution 2024 Essay Contest, and each time her essay has advanced, her family has celebrated with a cake.

She is anxiously hoping for more cake. Martinonis is one of eight fifth-grade finalists in the nation, and so far, she's won three awards for her essay — one at the local level, one at the state level and the latest for the Southeastern Division.

"I am unbelievably proud. I have felt both shocked and pleased each time I learned that I had won," she said.

And there's prize money involved: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. The winners will be recognized at the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Continental Congress, which is being held June 26-30 in Washington, D.C.

The topic for the contest was “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Essay writers were asked to imagine they were a newspaper reporter for The Philadelphia Times on May 14, 1897, and the newspaper's editor asked them to attend and report on the first public performance of John Philip Sousa’s new march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The students were to tell about Sousa’s life and the story behind the song.

Lia was with her family on April 20 in Durham to receive the state award, her mother, Andrea, said.

"This essay contest has been an incredible experience for Lia. My daughter aspires to be a writer when she grows up," Andrea Martinonis said. "This opportunity has given her the confidence to pursue that dream. Lia researched the essay subject, learned about American history, honed her writing skills, and read her speech to a large audience at the initial award ceremony. 

"As an educator, I couldn't be more pleased that DAR sponsors this contest, encouraging students to write essays and learn about our nation's past. As a parent, I am thrilled that my daughter chooses to spend her free time reading and writing and that her interests and skills are being recognized."

More: North Henderson student one of four grand prize winners in national essay contest

Lia said her teacher, April Summey, assigned the essay contest to her class.

"I remember being frustrated when drafting my essay, but now I am so glad my hard work paid off. I still cannot believe this is all happening," Lia Martinonis said.  

This part of her essay describes Sousa talking about composing his new march:

"...Sousa said that he composed the song in his head on his return to America as he grieved the death of his beloved band manager, David Blakely. Sousa said, “In a kind of dreamy way, I used to think over old days at Washington when I was leader of the Marine Band…when we played at all public functions, and I could see the Stars and Stripes flying from the flagstaff.” He also stated, “And that flag of ours became glorified… And to my imagination it seemed to be the biggest, grandest flag in the world, and I could not get back under it quick enough.”

More: Apple Valley Middle student one of four grand prize winners in national contest

Summey called Lia a phenomenal, gifted student who "always goes above and beyond."

"She thrives on a challenge and is an avid learner. Her contagious curiosity shines brightly as she lights up upon acquiring new knowledge," Summey said. "Every year, my fifth grade students work on the DAR essay. They are given a prompt and required to read multiple primary and secondary sources about the topic in order to prepare. I am very passionate about the contest, because it helps students learn history and get excited about it." 

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at [email protected]. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

United States Institute of Peace

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2020 National High School Essay Contest Winners Announced

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

News Type: Announcement

The U.S. Institute of Peace is pleased to announce that Jonas Lorincz—a junior from Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, Maryland—is the winner of the 2020 National High School Essay Contest.

For the last five years, USIP has partnered with the American Foreign Service Association on the annual National High School Essay Contest. The contest encourages high school students to learn and write about issues of peace and conflict and to appreciate diplomacy’s role in building partnerships that can advance peacebuilding and protect national security.

This year’s essay prompt asked students to describe how members of the Foreign Service work with other civilian parts of the U.S. government to promote peace, national security, and economic prosperity.

Lorincz’s essay, “ Verification, Mediation, and Peacebuilding: The Many Roles of the U.S. Foreign Service in Kosovo ,” was selected from nearly 440 submissions from 36 states. At some point in the coming months, Lorincz will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with a member of the State Department’s leadership, gain full tuition for an educational voyage with Semester at Sea, and be honored at a USIP reception.

Claire Burke, a junior at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee, Kansas, was this year’s runner-up. She will receive a full scholarship to participate in the International Diplomacy Program at the National Student Leadership Conference.

The 2020 honorable mentions were: Grace Cifuentes (Concord, CA), Grace Lannigan (Easton, CT), Seryung Park (Tenafly, NJ), Vynateya Purimetla (Troy, MI), David Richman (Norfolk, VA), Madeleine Shaw (Bloomington, IN), Sara Smith (Fargo, ND), and Jack Viscuso (Northport, NY).

USIP congratulates all the awardees for the 2020 National High School Essay Contest. The Institute’s sponsorship of the National High School Essay Contest is part of its commitment to educating young Americans on the United States’ role in preventing and resolving conflicts around the world. For additional USIP resources for students, teachers, and the broader American public, visit: www.usip.org/public-education .

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USIP Announces 2023-2024 Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellows

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You are here

In this section, applications for 2024 afsa scholarships are now available.

Please Visit AFSA’s Community Force Profile to Apply for Financial Aid Scholarships.

Financial Aid Scholarship Applications Are Due by Midnight on April 29, 2024

The AFSA Scholarship Program offers college aid to children of AFSA members whose parents are/were Foreign Service employees. We provide financial aid scholarships to undergraduates and academic merit awards, art merit awards, and a community service award to graduating high school seniors. The above activities could not happen without the generous bequests and donations from those in the Foreign Service community. No AFSA membership dues are used in the AFSA Scholarship Program. Over its history, AFSA has distributed over $6.2 million in scholarships to more than 2,800 youths.

Basic Information

• Eligibility Criteria
• Summary of Programs
• Merit Awards Scoring
• Financial Aid Scholarships FAQ

What Do I Need to Know?

The AFSA scholarship program is open to the children of Foreign Service employees whose parents must also be members of the American Foreign Service Association. The employee may be active-duty, retired, separated or deceased. Click here for additional eligibility criteria . AFSA offers aid to high school seniors who can compete for academic and art merit awards as well as a community service award; we also offer financial aid scholarships to tax-dependent undergraduates. For children of parents who are not in the Foreign Service, AFSA offers a high school essay contest - click here for further information on that program .

The AFSA Scholarship Program

Our award recipients.

We are very proud of our annual student recipients. Their achievements are as varied as they are, and we enjoy following their academic endeavors and careers once we have had the opportunity to honor them. What kinds of students receive AFSA awards and scholarships? Click below to see for yourself.

• AFSA’s 2023 Academic Merit Awards winners
• AFSA’s 2023 Art Merit, Community Service, and Best Essay Awards winners

We strongly encourage any Foreign Service child to apply for AFSA's scholarships and awards. We are honored to recognize the leaders of tomorrow.

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Contact Us!

If you have any questions about AFSA's scholarships programs, or are interested in discussing ways to support it (through bequests, donations, etc.), please email [email protected] .

Merit Award Donors

• John and Priscilla Becker Award
• Turner C. Cameron, Jr. Memorial Award
• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Award
• Embassy Risk Management Award
• Linda K. Fitzgerald Memorial Community Service Award
• Louis and Valeria Hebert Memorial Academic Merit Award
• Joanna and Robert Martin Award
• Promax Management Academic Merit Award
• Donald Spigler Memorial and Maria Giuseppa Spigler Award

Financial Aid Donors

• Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) Financial Aid Scholarship
• Norton Bell Financial Aid Scholarship
• William Benton Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Betty Carp Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Albert E. and Dorothy Carter Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• William E. Cole Memorial Scholarship
• Suzanne Marie Collins Memorial Scholarship
• Adolph Dubs Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• John Foster Dulles Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Arthur B. Emmons III Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Linda K. Fitzgerald Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Terence Flannery Memorial Annual Financial Aid Scholarship
• Anthony G. “Tony” Freeman Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• The Marc Grossman and Mildred Patterson Perpetual Financial Aid Scholarship
• Philip Charles Habib Memorial Financial Scholarship
• Colonel Richard R. Hallock Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Oliver Bishop Harriman Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Louis and Valeria Hebert Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Marilyn Holmes Annual Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Harriet Winsar Isom Financial Aid Scholarship
• Prabhi G. Kavaler Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Douglas Keene Perpetual/Sharon Papp Financial Aid Scholarship
• Kiang Fund for Excellence Financial Aid Scholarship
• Dalton V. Killion Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Francesca Bufano Lapinski Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Naomi and Elbert Mathews Memorial Scholarship
• Joshua Lane-Holman McMackle Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Everett K. and Clara C. Melby Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Susan Lowe Modi and Sorab Modi Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Horace J. and Evelyn K. Nickels Memorial Scholarship
• Marcia Martin and Brockman M. Moore Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Mattie and George Newman Memorial Scholarship
• David D. Newsom Memorial Scholarship
• Martin G. Patterson Memorial Scholarship
• Rozanne L. 'Roz' Ridgway Scholarship
• Adele Langston and William P. Rogers Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• George P. Shultz Financial Aid Scholarship
• Victor H. Skiles Memorial and Ruth Nay Skiles Scholarship
• Anna B. and John M. Steeves Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Omar Sykes Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• Christopher and Eliza Van Hollen Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• John Campbell White Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship
• John C. Whitehead Scholarship
• Sheldon Whitehouse Memorial Financial Aid Scholarship

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• DACOR – DACOR Bacon House Foundation