Texas History Essay Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Sons of the Republic of Texas

Please read every rule below carefully — missing even one required element will result in your essay being rejected.

Overview
This annual Texas History Essay Contest asks graduating high school seniors to study an aspect of Texas history and explain its significance in the building of Texas. The contest is sponsored by the Sons of the Republic of Texas; winners will be honored at the San Jacinto Celebration in Houston.

Eligibility
- Open to graduating seniors from any high school.
- History, Government, and English students are especially encouraged to participate.
- The three best essays (if the entries warrant it) will be chosen as winners.

Purpose
The contest is designed to encourage thoughtful study of Texas’s early frontier — the pioneer spirit, the strategies people used to meet difficult challenges, and the lasting effects of their efforts. We hope these investigations will deepen your understanding of Texas and stimulate civic thinking as you prepare to assume responsibility in your communities and beyond.

Topic
Submit an essay that shows a solid awareness of Texas history and explores how that history has contributed to the development of the state. Each year’s submissions should reflect this theme.

Submission requirements and formatting (must be followed exactly)
- Read the downloaded application for the complete set of rules.
- Five printed copies of your essay plus a CD are required at submission (include an electronic copy of the essay on the CD).
- Double-space your essay.
- Use either the Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian’s Manual for Writers for citations and formatting.
- Provide footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography. Examples are available in the application packet.
- Use reliable published sources (books or magazines). Every source must be properly acknowledged with author and publisher information.
- Run spell-check and proofread carefully.

Judging criteria
Essays will be judged on:
- Depth and accuracy of historical research
- Originality of thought and expression
- Clear organization and presentation

Awards and recognition
The top three essays (if the submissions merit) will be recognized and presented with scholarships by the Sons of the Republic of Texas at the San Jacinto Celebration in Houston. Scholarships may be awarded to the college of the winner’s choice or given directly to the student.

Quick checklist before you submit
- Read the full application rules.
- Five printed copies of your essay.
- One CD containing an electronic copy of the essay.
- Double-spaced, spell-checked.
- Footnotes/endnotes and bibliography in Chicago or Turabian style.
- All sources are published, reliable, and fully cited.
- Proofread for grammar and style.

If you have questions after reading the application, ask your teacher or contest coordinator well before the deadline. Good work and good luck — take this chance to think deeply and write clearly about Texas history.