This guide provides information for teachers as to how the essay prompt aligns with the Florida high school curriculum standards and how teachers may promote the essay contest in their classrooms. The Contest Rules explain submission requirements and relevant dates.
We hope you will encourage your students to participate in the 2025 Middle District High School essay contest. Some teachers will qualify for a $500 classroom grant, and the school with the most qualifying entries will receive $1,000. Accordingly, your students may ask for your contact information to include in their online contest Entry Form. In promoting the essay contest to your students, you may want to emphasize the benefits listed below and review with them or direct them to the Contest Home Page, which includes links to the Contest Rules and past winners' essays.
- Cash prizes for the top ten winners.
- Grants for teachers and school.
- Recognition ceremony at the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse.
- Opportunity to shadow a federal judge.
- Opportunity to create a writing sample for college and scholarship applications.
- Opportunity to develop research skills and learn more about how advocacy plays a vital role in creating a more just and equitable society.
The essay prompt aligns with several English Language Arts and Social Studies CPALMS and BEST standards: CPALMS SS912.CG.1; CPALMS SS.912.CG.2; CPALMS SS.912.CG.3; BEST ELA Standard C.1.
The essays will be scored by lawyers and judges in the Jacksonville Division. Their decisions will be final. The essay graders will evaluate the essays based on the following categories, which directly align with CPALMS and BEST standards as indicated:
- Example of Advocacy: An above average essay will identify and describe in detail a unique instance in which the student advocated for someone; where someone advocated for the student; or where an advocate could have improved an otherwise difficult situation.
- Thesis and Argument Development: An above average essay will convey a competent, thoughtful, and well-developed thesis detailing how the student's advocacy experience demonstrates why advocates help further a just and equitable society.
- Writing Style & Proofreading: An above average essay will contain few to no punctuation, spelling and/or capitalization errors and use precise, topic-appropriate language and vocabulary.