General Information
Eligibility to participate in our essay contest: 8th-12th grade student enrolled in the 2026-2027 school year.
Submission deadline: September 8th, 2026
Prizes
$100.00 – 1st place
$75.00 – 2nd place
$50.00 – 3rd place
A committee of Knights of Columbus Assembly 0162 members will review all submissions and select the award winners.
School winning entries will be notified by September 29th.
The top 3 winners will receive their awards in September 2026 at a special ceremony arranged by the contest chairman.
Essay Guidelines
Quote: “The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.”
Topic: Explain what this quote from former U.S. President and Knights of Columbus member John F. Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural address means and its importance for the flourishing of a nation.
Format: Essay limited to 1 Page Typed on 8½ ‘’ by 11” paper with 1 inch Essay word count is limited to 500 –750 words Student full name of the student school typed in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
Essay word count indicated after the school’s name.
NOTE: The school and student name will be hidden during judging.
NOTE: Essay must reflect the topic and be the student’s original work.
Judging:
Will focus on clarity of thought
Adherence to the theme
Essay format
After essay submission, all entries become the property of the Knights of Columbus Monsignor Bishop Assembly 0162.
To Register and Submit:
Contact our Knights of Columbus Essay Contest Chairman Sir Knight Mr. Pagan via email: apaganjryouthdirector@gmail.com or Text to 407-325-0027.