This year’s contest asks kids to “Explain a Constitutional right or privilege and how it affects you and your family.”
We are all touched by the Constitution, and this prompt encourages students to reflect on their personal experiences, explore how constitutional rights and privileges affect their families, or even begin meaningful conversations with older family members who remember a different time in our nation’s history. We look forward to reading students’ thoughtful and insightful submissions!

Important Dates
1. Students send essays to Local Lodges by December 15, 2026.
2. Local Lodges send essays to the District Chairperson by January 21, 2027.
3. District Chairperson sends essays to the State Chairperson by February 28, 2027.
4. State Chairperson sends essays to the Contest Administrator by March 31, 2027.

Lodges should make sure all information submitted is legible and complete, including the correct phone number, email address, and home mailing address.

We also ask the Lodge to send the total number of essays judged to the District or State Chairperson to have a record of participation. The contest is open to students in grades 5 through 8.

Essays must be no more than 300 words typed or printed (by the student), submitted to the Local Lodge, and have the entrant’s name, grade, school, and the sponsoring Elks Lodge on the essay itself. The cover page provided on our website must be attached.

We ask those judging the essays to scan for possible use of AI enhancements and, if found, disqualify the essay.
This is a snapshot of points when judging:
Originality: 30 points
Development of theme: 40 points
Mechanics & neatness: 30 points

There will be a winner in each grade level. Winners will receive a plaque and a monetary prize for first, second, and third place.

National winners of each division will be announced in the spring newsletter, and awards can be picked up at the Fraternal Committee Booth at the Elks National Convention in Denver in 2027.