Student Essay Contest

The Virginia School Boards Association is holding a personal essay/speaking contest where the first-place winner will present before an audience of more than 200 school board members and administrators at the 2025 VSBA Conference on Education held at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump on July 25, 2025. Additionally, the first-place winner will have the opportunity to present at the 2025 Student School Board Representative Workshop at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia on November 19, 2025.

This is the fifth year the Virginia School Boards Association will hold this contest. We hope that this contest will bring out the very best in students’ writing and speaking efforts and allow our attendees to witness examples of bright, thoughtful, and accomplished students from around the state. This year’s topic is: Champions for Impact.

The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Submissions are open to all Virginia public high school students (grades 9-12), in divisions that are members of the VSBA. This contest is as a great opportunity for students to share their unique voices as well as compete for funds to further their education. This year’s contest is sponsored by Haney Phinyowattanachip, PLLC.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 5, 2025

Click here to view and download this year’s contest guide.

Click here for the online application.

For questions, please contact communications@vsba.org.

Congratulations to the 2024 Student Essay Contest Winner, Ann Elizabeth Cherian, a student from York County Public Schools! You can view Ann Elizabeth’s winning essay below: