BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST

We invite students in grades 7–12 in Washington’s 10th Congressional District to celebrate Black History Month with us by entering the Congresswoman Strickland Black History Essay Contest. Students should explore and craft essays that honor Black Washingtonians who have significantly impacted our region. This includes military veterans, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and many others.  

Who May Enter 
Current students in grades 7–12 residing in Washington’s 10th Congressional District. 

Timeline 
Submissions open on January 7th and close on February 26th. Winners will be announced in March. 

How to Submit 
Submit only through the official Google Form: [Entry Form WA 10th Black History Essay Contest]. Email submissions to the office will not be accepted. 

Required information: 

• Student name, grade, school, and teacher or advisor contact 

• Guardian permission and home address for eligibility verification 

• Essay (upload as a file in the Google Form) 

Optional: 

• Photo for the winner feature 

• Opt-in for the Congressional Award program referral 

You will receive an automatic confirmation email after submission. 

Word Limits 
Middle school (grades 7–8): 500-700 words 
High school (grades 9–12): 750-1000 words 

Prompts (choose one figure and one grouping) 

Middle School Prompt – Narrative and Local Impact (500–700 words) Narrative and Local Impact – Explore the life story of a significant historical Black figure. In the essay, discuss the obstacles they confronted and conclude with an explanation of why their story remains relevant today.” 

High School Prompt – Analytical and Civic Relevance ( 750-1000 words) 
Analytical and civic relevance – Examine the life story of a particular figure and discuss how their experiences with race or other obstacles did not deter them from pursuing their goals. Incorporate two types of evidence to support your analysis. Finally, conclude with a 2–3 sentence recommendation for a policy or program that addresses contemporary issues similar to those faced by the figure you analyzed, and highlight how your approach could make a positive impact. 

Example Figures 

Trailblazing Veterans 
Moses Williams, Buffalo Soldier; George Washington Bush, War of 1812 veteran and early settler 

Civil Rights Women and Organizers 
Dr. Nettie J. Craig Asberry, Tacoma educator and NAACP founder 

Entrepreneurs and Pioneers 
Rebecca G. Howard, Olympia hotelier and business owner 

Civic Leaders and Educators 
William Owen Bush, early state legislator; Dolores Irene Silas, Tacoma educator and civic leader 

Permissions and Disclaimer 
By submitting, the student and legal guardian consent to the Congressional office’s public use of the winning essay, the student’s first name, and photo or likeness for publicity related to the contest. Personal contact information will not be published. The student retains authorship rights; submission grants the office a non-exclusive right to reproduce and display the essay for contest and educational purposes. 

Resources and Help 
Teacher toolkits, sample source lists, and mini research packets are available on the contest page. 

For questions about eligibility or technical issues with the Google Form, contact Kris Page, Outreach Representative, WA-10 at kris.page@mail.house.gov.