Kansas Rural Voices Youth Contest

Scholarship Sponsored by North Central Regional Planning Commission

Overview — what this contest is and who it's for
- The North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) runs the Rural Voices Youth Contest each year to invite thoughtful responses from high school seniors about life and the future in rural Kansas. Since 2006, the contest has awarded more than $30,000 to students from the region.
- Who may enter: high school seniors who live in or attend school (public, private, or home school) in the NCRPC 12‑county service area: Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, and Washington. A student is eligible if any portion of their school district’s official boundaries falls within that service area.
- Not eligible: NCRPC employees and their immediate family members.

2025–2026 theme — Rural Kansas: Tomorrow’s Possibilities
Imagine you can shape the future of rural Kansas. What will your hometown — or rural communities across the state — look like in 5, 10, or 15 years? Describe the role you hope to play in building a stronger, more vibrant rural Kansas. Consider agriculture, technology, education, health care, community service, entrepreneurship, the arts — any areas where ideas and leadership could produce lasting, positive change. Show us your vision and how you’ll lead.

Awards
- Two winners each receive a $1,000 cash prize and the John R. Cyr Rural Voices Award (named for John R. Cyr, NCRPC Executive Director for 22 years).
- Winning entries will be published on the NCRPC website.
- NCRPC reserves the right to make no awards or partial awards depending on the quality of entries received.

Important deadlines and submission note
- Contest deadline: February 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. All entries and registration forms must be received electronically by that time.
- Tip: keep a copy of the email you send as proof of submission in case of technical problems. Late entries without proof will not be considered.

Registration form (required)
- A registration form must be completed and submitted by the deadline.
- The form is a fillable PDF and requires an original (handwritten) signature — digital signatures are not accepted.
- You may scan and email the signed form or print and mail it; instructions are included on the form.
- After you submit, you should receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. If you do not, contact Lori Thielen at communications@ncrpc.org to confirm receipt.

How to enter — two entry formats
You may submit one entry only (one per person). Choose either a written essay or a video.

Written entries
- Theme: must reflect the contest theme above.
- Length: minimum 1,000 words (title and works-cited pages do not count toward the total). Entries under 1,000 words will not be considered.
- Format: 12‑point font, double-spaced, 1‑inch margins.
- Original work: entries must be the student’s own writing.
- File type and naming: save your final entry as a PDF. Do not include your name inside the document itself; include your name in the filename (example: firstnamelastnameruralvoices.pdf).
- Submit: email the PDF to ruralvoices@ncrpc.org and be sure the registration form is submitted by the deadline.

Video entries
- Theme: must reflect the contest theme above.
- Length: 3 to 5 minutes.
- Original work: the piece must be your own. If you include music, make sure it is either not copyrighted or you have written permission to use it.
- Hosting and submission: upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and email the link to ruralvoices@ncrpc.org.
- Submit: the registration form must also be submitted by the deadline.

Official contact and questions
- General questions: communications@ncrpc.org or call 785‑738‑2218.
- Confirmation issues: Lori Thielen at communications@ncrpc.org.

A few quick tips from a teacher
- Start with a clear idea or story that shows your values and the change you want to make. Concrete examples are more persuasive than vague statements.
- For essays: outline first (thesis, two or three supporting points, conclusion). Check word count and formatting requirements before you convert to PDF.
- For videos: storyboard the sequence, keep your message focused, and pay attention to audio quality.
- Ask a teacher, mentor, or family member to proofread or give feedback well before the deadline.
- Keep copies of all submitted files and of the email you send.

Sponsorship
- The Rural Voices Youth Contest is sponsored by the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC), which serves 12 counties and 83 cities in North Central Kansas and works to advance rural Kansas through planning and development services.