The lawyers and judges of the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, through the Middle District Bench Bar Fund, and the South West Florida Federal Court Bar Association, invite high school students in grades 9–12 in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties to participate in an essay contest analyzing how advocacy plays a vital role in creating a more just and equitable society. Participating students, their teachers, and schools have a chance to win cash prizes as listed below.
First Place:
$2,000.00
Second Place:
$1,000.00
Third Place:
$500.00
Fourth through Tenth Places, each:
$150.00
Classroom Grant for Teachers
of the Top Three Winners:
$500.00
Grant for School with the
Most Qualifying Submissions:
$1,000.00
*The first-place winner also will have an opportunity to shadow a Fort Myers Division United States District Judge for a day. A teacher of two or more student winners may qualify for only one classroom grant. A qualifying submission is one that satisfies all Contest Rules.
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025
Top Ten Announced: November 13, 2025
Winners Announced: December 3, 2025
For more information, contact Laura Ferro, Esquire, Community Outreach Coordinator, Laura_Ferro@fd.org.
