Student Summer Essay Contest
Dallas County Pioneer Association
Essay submission deadline: August 31, 2026 – Presentation of awards: On or about December 5, 2026
Eligibility: Junior Division – Minimum age 12 years; Maximum Age 14 years; as of June 1, 2026
Senior Division – Minimum age 15 years; Maximum Age 18 years; as of June 1, 2026
Sponsorship: Each entrant must be sponsored by a parent or legal guardian who is an active member of the Dallas County Pioneer Association or who submits an application for membership and is approved prior to the submission deadline. https://dallaspioneer.org/files/MemberAp3.pdf
The sponsor must agree to be the point of contact for all communications between the Dallas County Pioneer Association and the entrant.
Awards: United States Treasury Series I Savings Bond (current annual interest rate 4.26% )
| Junior Division: | First Place – $ 1000 (Minimum of 5 Qualified Submissions) |
| Second Place – $ 750 (Minimum of 10 Qualified Submissions) | |
| Third Place – $ 500 (Minimum of 15 Qualified Submissions) | |
| Senior Division: | First Place – $ 2000 (Minimum of 5 Qualified Submissions) |
| Second Place – $ 1500 (Minimum of 10 Qualified Submissions) | |
| Third Place – $ 1000 (Minimum of 15 Qualified Submissions) |
If less than the minimum number of qualified submissions are received that award level will be eliminated.
Click to go to Junior Division Instructions
Click to go to Senior Division Instructions
