Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Barb Harris Student Essay Contest!
THE QUESTION:
The three branches of the federal government were established as co-equal with a system of checks and balances. Should these separate branches of government continue to be co-equal? What could be the benefits or consequences if one branch has more or less power than the other branches?
THE PRIZES:
- First - $500
- Second - $300
- Third - $200
- And membership in the LWVHA for one year!
THE RULES:
- All entries must be received by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
- Essays must be typed, 600-1,000 words in length, and submitted as a Word or PDF document.
- Please do not submit via your school email account. We are not able to access those documents. Download your essay and attach to an email and send directly to: info [at] lwvhelena.org.
- Include your name, school, class, email and phone number on a separate cover sheet OR in the body of the email.
- Your essay will be judged on 1) creativity, 2) content, and 3) spelling and grammar.
IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE THREE WINNERS:
By submitting your essay to this contest and if you are one of the three winners, you agree to allow the LWV of the Helena Area to publish your essay on this webpage and to publicly announce the winners’ names and awards.
QUESTIONS? Send us an email at info [at] lwvhelena.org and we'll respond promptly.
FALL 2024 STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS!
Announcing and congratulating the three winners of our Fall 2024 Student Essay Contest!
Fall 2024 Essay Question: Should voting be just a right or should all eligible voters be required to vote?
SPRING 2024 STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS!
We are pleased to announce the three winners of our Spring 2024 Student Essay Contest! Read their essays here!
Spring 2024 Essay Question: What Voting Means to Me
(NOTE: We no longer hold a spring contest.)
STAY INFORMED! If you want to know when the next Student Essay Contest is launched, subscribe to our email list.
SUPPORT CIVICS EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT! To make a tax-deductible donation to support the Barb Harris Student Essay Contest, send a check in any amount to Helena LWV, PO Box 6534, Helena, MT 59604. Please make your check out to LWV Education Fund. A letter of acknowledgment will be mailed to you. Thank you!
