Texas History Essay Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Sons of the Republic of Texas

Eligibility
- Any graduating high school senior may enter. Students in History, Government, and English are especially encouraged to participate.
- The judges may select the three best essays as winners. Winners will be recognized and presented with prizes by the Sons of the Republic of Texas at the annual San Jacinto Celebration in Houston.
- Prizes are scholarships to each winner’s college of choice, or they may be awarded directly to the student.

Purpose
- Texas has a distinct history and identity. This contest exists to encourage you to investigate the pioneer spirit of early Texans: how they faced difficult circumstances, the methods they used to achieve their goals, and how their efforts shaped the Texas we know today.
- Beyond facts and dates, the contest is meant to stimulate critical thinking about the responsibilities you will take on at the local, state, national, and international levels in the years ahead.

Topic
- Each year students submit essays that demonstrate an awareness of Texas history and discuss its relevance to the building of Texas. Choose a focused topic that allows both research and reflection.

Submission rules (summary — read the application for full details)
- Submit five printed copies of your essay plus one CD containing the essay.
- Use either the Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian’s Manual for Writers for formatting, citations, and bibliography.
- Include endnotes and a bibliography; examples are provided in the application packet.
- All factual information must come from reliable published sources (books or magazines). Always acknowledge the author and publisher of each source.

Judging criteria
- Essays will be evaluated on:
- Depth of research in Texas history
- Originality of thought and expression
- Clear organization and presentation

A brief teacher’s note
- Start early, choose solid primary and secondary sources, and plan your paper so your argument unfolds logically. Careful citation and polished organization show respect for your readers and strengthen your case. Good luck — I look forward to reading thoughtful, well-researched essays.