Our next annual history essay contest begins in January 2026.

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Thank you to all of those who participated in our annual history essay contest in 2025!

 

This year's topics were as follows:
 

Fourth graders were asked to write about one of the following topics: 1.) Their state’s history, including the history of the Catholic Church in their state. 2.) An important person to the history of their state, or 3.) An important historical site in their state.

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Fifth graders were asked to write about a historical character born before 1950 from North America who made an impact on the Church and country.

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Sixth graders were asked to choose a country they would like to visit, research the country’s history, and write about two places of historical interest that they would like to visit and why.

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Seventh and eighth graders were asked to write about one of the following topics: 1) Choose a non-North American historical character who made their most important historical contribution between 300 A.D.–1900 A.D. and relate how that person influenced the time and place in which they lived. 2) Discuss how religious motivations influenced explorations and settlements in the Americas. Focus on specific explorers or missions, such as the Franciscan efforts in La Florida.

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High schoolers were asked to write about one of the following topics: 1) Choose an important historical event. Describe the event, the key players, its outcome, and how it changed history. 2) Discuss an artifact, whether physical or cultural. Explore its place in the culture that created it, what it can tell us about the people and events of its time, and why it matters today. 3) Select a speech or address from a historical figure. Research it and describe its place in history, its importance in its own time, what transpired before and after the address, and what themes remain relevant today.

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