2026 Hope and Stanley Adelstein Essay Contest
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ESSAY PROMPT:
Social media has transformed how young people engage in dialogue, build community, and advocate for the issues that matter most to them. Yet as online expression expands, so do questions about free speech, responsibility, and the role of institutions in shaping that discourse.
In a democratic society that values open dialogue, how should schools, communities, and digital platforms balance the right to free expression with accountability? And what responsibilities come with having a public voice in the digital age?
DEADLINE: Friday, March 20, 2026
ELIGIBILITY: All high school students (9th-12th grade) in public, private, parochial, charter, and home schools in Northeast Ohio
GUIDELINES
- Essays will be evaluated using four categories: clarity and organization, content development, critical thinking and insight, and writing quality. Students must respond directly to the prompt and all required components.
- Essays must include 3 to 5 reliable and valid sources that are clearly connected to the writer’s ideas and integrated meaningfully throughout the essay.
- All essays are blind scored. Student names, teacher names, school names, or any other identifying information must not appear in the essay document or in the file name. Submissions that include identifying information may be disqualified.
- First-place winners in each grade category will be invited to read their winning essays at the start of a City Club forum.
AWARDS: 11/12 Grade
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $750
- Third Place: $500
- Honorable Mention: $250
9/10 Grade
- First Place: $500
- Second Place: $250
- Third Place: $150
- Honorable Mention: $100
You can listen to last year's winning essays here.