jfk essay scholarship

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

In Profiles in Courage , John F. Kennedy recounted the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to do what was right for the nation. These leaders demonstrated political courage by taking a stand for the public good in spite of pressure by interest groups, their political party, or even their constituents. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage .

Contest Topic: Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917 , the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national, or international level.

The contest deadline is January 12, 2024.

Visit the Profile in Courage Essay Contest section of the JFK Library website for more requirements, judging criteria, past winning essays, and additional information.

Registration and Submission

Please read Contest Topic and Information carefully before submitting your essay. Essays must meet   contest requirements to qualify for evaluation.

The Profile in Courage Essay Contest has upgraded its registration and submission technology, and we now use the SurveyMonkey Apply platform. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the Profile in Courage Essay Contest Coordinator.

Important Note: Before contacting the Profile in Courage Essay Contest Coordinator, please be sure to review the contest web pages and read over the FAQ section of the web site.

Email: [email protected]

Sep 1 2023 12:00 AM (EDT)

Jan 12 2024 11:59 pm (est).

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JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Offered by John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Multiple awards worth up to

Grade level.

High School Students

Expected deadline: This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.

January 2025

Scholarship Overview

Are you a U.S. high school student with a love for U.S. history? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest! Each year, the contest awards up to $10,000 to winning applicants who submit 700 – 1,000 word essays following the year’s prompt. Each year’s prompt relates to U.S. history, with this year’s being: “ Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born.” The scholarship is offered by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts.

If you love U.S. history and want to put your writing skills and history knowledge to the test, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

This scholarship is open to students meeting the below eligibility criteria.

U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents

Political Science

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Application information.

To apply for this scholarship, students must submit an online application in addition to the below application materials. Bear in mind that applicants must also have a “nominating teacher” who are currently teaching at the same high school as the applicant. Nominating teachers are responsible for providing advice and support to the student throughout the application process.

1,000-word essay

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

One thing that quickly becomes apparent to high school students preparing for college is the burden of funding a four-year degree. Fortunately for college-bound students, there are numerous ways to reduce the cost of school. One of the most notable methods is pursuing a wide range of scholarships and awards. An award that students with exceptional writing and researching skills should consider is the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest.

About the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

In 1954, John F. Kennedy took a leave of absence from the Senate to recover from back surgery. Kennedy used that time to study the topic of political courage, which inspired him to later write the Pulitzer-Prize winning book Profiles in Courage —detailing the careers of eight Senators whom Kennedy believed demonstrated enormous courage when faced with pressure from their parties and constituents.  

Today, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest asks students to follow in Kennedy’s footsteps by researching and writing a creative original essay about an elected official who risked their career to take a stand on moral principles. The essay contest serves as a companion project to the Kennedy Library Foundation’s Profile in Courage Award, which honors elected officials who have demonstrated incredible political courage.

The winner of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest receives a $10,000 cash award and is invited to accept their prize at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts during the Profile in Courage Award events—with all travel and lodging expenses paid for. In addition to the award winner, the runner-up will receive a $3,000 award, the five finalists each receive $1,000 awards, and the eight semi-finalists are awarded $100 each.

In addition to the winners, ten students are selected for honorable mention and all participants receive a certificate of participation.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest Applicant Requirements

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest is available to U.S. high school students in grades nine through twelve. Students need to be enrolled in a public, private, parochial, or homeschool high school program in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or a U.S. territory. The contest also accepts submissions from U.S. citizens attending school overseas.

How to Apply

In order to participate in the Profile of Courage Essay Contest, students need to be recommended by a teacher who will support and advise the student in the creation of their essay. Nominating teachers can be former or current teachers of the applicant, but must still be still teaching at the school the participant is enrolled in. Rarely, an exception may be made if a student is unable to be nominated by a teacher from their school. For applicants who are homeschooled, the parent or legal guardian can fill the role of a nominating teacher.

An applicant’s essay is required to describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official on the local, state, or national level who served between 1917 (the year of Kennedy’s birth) and the present. Essays need to be an original work of the applicant and fall between 700 and 1,000 words—citations and bibliography do not count toward the word count. Additionally, applicants should cite a minimum of five sources.

John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward M. Kennedy, along with the senators featured in Profiles of Courage are not eligible subjects for essays. It’s also recommended to avoid writing about present or past presidents of the United States.

Past winners of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest are not eligible to participate again. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and their family members are also ineligible for the award.

Tips on Applying For Awards

Don’t Miss Deadlines: Pay close attention to deadlines and don’t wait until the last minute to submit your essay. The Profile in Courage Essay can be submitted via email or traditional mail. If you decide to submit your materials via traditional mail, the application must be postmarked on its due date.

Follow Directions: The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest has specific rules about how many words are allowed, sources needed, what information needs to be included, and how sources should be cited. It would be extremely disappointing to write a winning essay only to be disqualified because you made a mistake like forgetting to include a bibliography.

Proofread: Applicants for the Profile in Courage Essay Contest should work closely with their nominating teacher to ensure that they submit a clean essay free of grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, along with making sure the essay flows and meets the submission requirements.

Research: In addition to researching for their essay, applicants should research past winners to get an understanding of what a winning essay looks like. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum maintains a list of winners and their essays on their website .  

Professional Appearance: When applying for any distinguished award, there’s a chance that your social media profiles will be looked at. Audit your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles and delete any content that could be potentially damaging. While you’re at it, make sure you have a professional-looking email address to correspond with.

Get Professional Help: CollegeVine helps students win awards. Our expert advisors can provide whatever assistance a student needs, whether it’s staying ahead of deadlines or crafting an exceptional essay.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Sponsored by: John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

Apply Online

Applicant must fall into one of the following categories: a United States high school student in grade nine through twelve attending a public, private, parochial, or home school; a United States student under the age of 20 enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the United States territories; a United States citizen attending school overseas. An original and creative essay of less than 1,000 words analyzing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. The first-place recipient will be invited to accept the award at the Profile in Courage Award Ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Contact Information

Esther Kohn Coordinator, Profile in Courage Essay Contest John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Columbia Point Boston, MA 02125 United States

Official website

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U.S. Student in Scotland Ruby McIntee Wins the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   May 20, 2024   Media Contact:   Matt Porter    617-514-1574 [email protected]   www.jfklibrary.org  

U.S. Student in Scotland Ruby McIntee Wins the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest    – Winning Essay Profiles U.S. Representative from New York Vito Marcantonio who took a controversial stand to protect political freedom –

BOSTON – The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation today announced that Ruby McIntee , a U.S. Citizen and senior at  the High School of Dundee  in Dundee Scotland , has won the national John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students . The winning essay describes how former U.S. Representative Vito Marcantonio (New York 18th District) courageously opposed the 1948 Subversive Activities Control Act which required communists to register with the U.S. Attorney General. Determined to protect constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, Marcantonio risked his career and reputation to stay true to democratic principles.

The essay contest is sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and The Boeing Company . 

“Ruby’s essay on Representative Marcantonio reminds us that our democracy needs political leaders who are willing to stand up for the public good at any cost,” said Rachel Flor , Executive Director of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. “I am thrilled to see thousands of students participate in this year’s Profile in Courage Essay Contest to learn about the challenges faced by our past elected leaders and the choices they made to stand up for the greater good.”

“Boeing is proud to support the JFK Library Foundation’s work to encourage civic engagement,” said Ziad Ojakli , executive vice president of Government Operations at Boeing. “The Profile in Courage Essay Contest helps students become stronger leaders by challenging them to think about how public service makes our world better.”

The annual Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites high school students from across the nation to write an essay on an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official. The contest is a companion program of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™, named for Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage , which recounts the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers by embracing unpopular decisions for the greater good. This year, 2,313 essays were submitted from students in fifty states, Washington, D.C., and from U.S. citizens in Canada, Ecuador, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vietnam. 

McIntee is the first winner studying from outside the United States.

McIntee will receive a $10,000 scholarship award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and Boeing for her accomplishment.

McIntee attended elementary school in Brooklyn, New York and decided to write about someone from the state where she had lived. She painstakingly combed through pages of Congressional records to find what she considered an excellent essay subject. Although McIntee felt Representative Marcantonio had many acts of political courage to choose from, she decided to focus on his opposition to the 1948 Subversive Activities Control Act.

McIntee has been a member of her school's debate team for five years and looks forward to continuing debating in college. She enjoys swimming, editing for her school newspaper and reading. Interested in politics and history, she is a founding member of her school's philosophy club and an Orwell youth fellow. She plans to attend the University of Edinburgh next fall.

McIntee’s nominating teacher, Ms. Amanda Tevendale , will receive a John F. Kennedy Public Service Grant in the amount of $500 to be used for school projects that encourage student leadership and civic engagement. 

Craig Hrones , a sophomore   at Amherst Regional High School in Amherst, Massachusetts, was selected as the second-place winner for his essay on John P. Slattery, a former State Representative of Massachusetts. He will receive a $3,000 prize for this recognition.

Each of the following five finalists will receive a $1,000 prize: Benjamin Klingle , a senior at Brunswick High School  in Brunswick, Maine , profiled Jared Golden, U.S. Representative of Maine; Novah Miller , a senior at Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice in Englewood, Colorado , profiled Richard Lamm, former Governor of Colorado; Shreya Nallamothu , a junior at University High School  in Normal, Illinois , profiled David Dinkins, former Mayor of New York City; Aarush Tutiki , a sophomore at Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico , profiled Leonidas Dyer, former U.S. Representative of Missouri; Mia VonLehman , a junior at Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills, Kentucky , profiled Woodrow Wilson Mann, former Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Ten students were recognized as semifinalists: Maeve Brady , a junior at The Wheatley School in Old Westbury, New York , profiled David Rose, former Assemblyman of Anchorage, Alaska; Xiayang Huang , a sophomore at  Hunter College High School in New York, New York , profiled Rodney Mims Cook Sr., former State Representative of Georgia; Taisei Ishikawa , a junior at  Greencastle High School in Greencastle, Indiana , profiled William Hudnut, former Mayor of Indianapolis; J ulia Knispel , a junior at Ridgefield High School in Ridgefield, Connecticut , profiled Sarah Davis, former State Representative of Texas; Ariel Konieczko , a junior at Beacon High School in New York, New York , profiled Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, former U.S. Representative of Florida; Landry Lehan , a junior at Mercy High School in Omaha, Nebraska , profiled John Nosser, former Mayor of Natchez, Mississippi; Karthik Sangameswaran , a junior at Saratoga High School  in Saratoga, California , profiled Albert Patterson, former State Senator of Alabama; Allison Taylor , a senior at Xavier High School in Appleton, Wisconsin , profiled Vel Phillips, former Alderwoman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Hayden Watkins , a senior at Rowan County High School  in Morehead, Kentucky , profiled Cecil Watkins, Attorney of Rowan County, Kentucky; Wyatt Wunker, a junior at Saint John’s School  in San Juan, Puerto Rico , profiled Luis Muñoz Marín, former Governor of Puerto Rico.

Eight students received honorable mentions and are listed, along with winners, finalists, and semifinalists, at  www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest .

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation created the  John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award  in 1989 to honor President Kennedy’s commitment and contribution to public service and to celebrate his May 29th birthday. The award is presented annually to public servants who have made courageous decisions of conscience without regard for the personal or professional consequences. The award is named for President Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage . A distinguished committee of leaders from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the National Archives and Records Administration selected the winning essays.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation  is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded in 1984 to provide financial support, staffing, and creative resources for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a presidential library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. The JFK Presidential Library and the JFK Library Foundation seek to promote, through educational and community programs, a greater appreciation and understanding of American politics, history, and culture; the process of governing; and the importance of public service.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at  boeing.com/careers .

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

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Scholarship Essays

John F Kennedy Profile In Courage Winning Scholarship Essay Sample

Describe an act of political courage by a u.s. elected official that occurred during or after 1956, the publication date of profiles in courage.

Immigration reform is one of the most contentious issues in America today, provoking angry debates in Congress, fueling tension in town hall meetings across the country, and even dividing families. In 2007, as the battle over immigration reform played out in Congress, Tom Selders, the Republican mayor of Greeley, Colorado, put a local face on the issue. Selders spoke out on Capitol Hill about the devastating effect of an immigration raid at a Greeley meatpacking plant and urged Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform. As a result, he faced a backlash of criticism at home. Selders knew his public stance on immigration was politically risky, particularly since he was seeking reelection in the upcoming mayoral race. Nonetheless, as an elected official, he felt an obligation to advocate for all the people of Greeley, especially those who otherwise would have no voice (Bernuth). Like the courageous senators in Profiles in Courage, Selders was willing to “sacrifice all—including his own career—for” his principles and the greater good (Kennedy 7). 

A lifelong Republican from a conservative town, Selders may seem an unlikely advocate for immigration reform. He admits that while growing up on the affluent west side of Greeley, he rarely ventured into the working class Latino neighborhoods on the east side of town. As mayor, however, Selders was determined to meet with community groups from all parts of Greeley to ensure he was representing the interests of all residents, regardless of race, class, or nationality (Riccardi). In December 2006, Selders learned that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had raided the Swift & Company meatpacking plant—Greeley’s largest employer—and arrested 262 undocumented workers as part of a multi-city enforcement action known as “Operation Wagon Train” (Perl 88). Eyewitnesses reported that those detained were “treated like animals” (Cooper). They were handcuffed and shackled, denied access to food, water, and bathrooms, and were not allowed to contact their families (“ICE”). 

Shortly after the raid, many of those arrested were deported. Others remained in legal limbo for more than a year awaiting a hearing (Warner). On the day of the raid, more than 200 Greeley children returned home to find one or both parents gone (Lofholm). Selders sympathized with the children—many of whom were U.S. citizens—who were “devastated by their parents being arrested and detained,” but he initially did not speak out (Riccardi). When John F. Kennedy first entered Congress, he was told that “the way to get along is to go along” (Kennedy 4). These words were equally applicable to the situation in Greeley, where local leaders faced pressure to not “rock the boat” by taking positions contrary to the prevailing political sentiment (Thompson). However, as more details emerged about the raid and as community relations degenerated over the immigration issue, Selders knew he could not remain silent. He denounced the inhumane treatment of those arrested. “People with leg irons and handcuffs—was that really necessary?” he asked. “Is this what our country is about?” (qtd. in Olinger). 

In May 2007, Selders traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak to Congressional lobbyists about the impact of the raid on immigrant families and the community (Delgado). He recognized his actions would likely be unpopular with those who had helped Greeley earn its reputation as “a GOP stronghold” (Cooper). Yet, he also knew that promoting the dignity and respect of all residents, especially those he “felt had not been well represented,” was the “right thing to do” (qtd. in Bernuth). Selders also hoped to prompt meaningful debate about immigration reform and move the discussion past divisive, partisan bickering and toward constructive solutions (Selders). In Profiles in Courage, Kennedy commended elected officials who had the political courage to break with their parties and place “their convictions ahead of their careers” (206). By taking a stand in favor of a more humane immigration policy, Selders did just that. 

In the wake of his trip, Selders faced tremendous political repercussions. He was vilified on local talk radio (Riccardi), and received angry emails and “more hate calls than I care to mention” (qtd. in Quintero). Some accused him of wanting to turn Greeley into a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. Others called him “traitor scum” and derisively asked, “Have you thought about running for mayor of your favorite country, Mexico?” (“Swift Justice”). There were threats of a recall petition and demands that Selders withdraw his reelection bid (“Residents”). 

But Selders refused to be intimidated. “When you get elected to a job like mayor,” he said, “you deal with controversy” (qtd. in Villegas). During Selders’ reelection campaign, his challenger blasted his stance on immigration and members of his own party actively campaigned against him (Boyle). Selders was also the target of hateful campaign mailings by anonymous groups. One accused him of advocating “instant U.S. citizenship” for undocumented workers (“Greeley”). Another claimed Selders was soft on “gangs, crimes and illegals” (Louis-Sanchez).

 In the end, Selders’ refusal to “compromise away his principles” (Kennedy 11) on immigration cost him the election (“Greeley”). The Los Angeles Times called Selders’ defeat “a cautionary tale of the politics of illegal immigration,” which, to some, showed “how a good man trying to do the right thing was taken down by the forces of intolerance” (Riccardi). Following his defeat, Selders was asked if he would speak out again, knowing the political consequences. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat because it was the right thing to do and it needed to be done,” he replied. “[I]llegal people who are here are still human beings. They deserve at least the dignity of being treated with respect” (qtd. in Bernuth). 

Today, America finds itself at a crossroads as it grapples with the question of what type of nation it aspires to be. Does it want to be a country that deprives individuals of their basic human rights simply because of their immigrant status? Tom Selders courageously said no. By taking a stand in favor of immigration reform and the basic dignity and humanity of all people, Selders did more than exemplify political courage: he showed what it means to be an American and uphold the values that we, as a nation of immigrants, should hold dear.

2024 Scholarship Recipient

 2024 scholarship recipient daniela novoa.

The JFK Hyannis Museum awarded Sandwich senior Daniela Novoa with a $2500 scholarship based on her academic achievements and her essay relating to one of President John F. Kennedy’s quotes from a speech to a join session of the Dail and the Seanad, Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963.  The 2024 essay quote was “The supreme reality of our time is the vulnerability of our planet.” – President John F. Kennedy

Daniela Novoa’s Essay

In his poignant address in 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a stark truth that ring truer today than ever before. This timeless statement encapsulates the essence of our collective responsibility towards Earth’s well-being – one that transcends borders, ideologies, and generations. The interconnectedness of global ecosystems, combined with the exponential growth in human population, has brought the vulnerability of our planet to the forefront of global consciousness. Rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events serve as brutal reminders of the consequences of our unsustainable practices. The delicate balance of life on Earth is being threatened, endangering not only ecosystems but human societies. Humanity now faces an existential crisis that demands urgent action.

Addressing the challenges posed by environmental degradation requires a shift in societal attitudes towards consumption and conservation, emphasizing the importance of living in harmony with nature rather than exploiting it for short-term gain. In an age marked by geopolitical and economic tensions, acknowledging the vulnerability of our planet serves as a unifying force that transcends national interests. President Kennedy’s assertion is a sobering reminder of our collective responsibility towards Earth’s preservation. It calls upon us to work together in the pursuit of a sustainable future. Only through concerted action can we ensure that our planet remains hospitable for generations to come.

Realizations like these have driven me to pursue service and fundraising opportunities in my community, like raising money for the National Marine Life Center as treasurer of my school’s Environmental Awareness Club. This went towards sea animal rehabilitation and care, and educating our community about the necessity for their protection. Currently, I am running a supply drive through the same club, which is hoping to get significant donations for the Cape Wildlife Center and the animals they care for. I have found this experience to be very rewarding, and plan to do others like it in the future.

In the realm of civic engagement, I also co-founded an organization called the Sandwich Peace Project that is dedicated to providing for people in need through fundraising events. Our funds have gone to local and global causes, including the Independence House which supports victims of domestic violence in our community, conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Malala Fund, which helps women in war-tom locations access a valuable education. Overall, we have donated over $2000 to various causes.

The fulfillment I have gained from these services has driven me to be a continuously active member of my community. I see college as a platform for further social engagement; I plan to at least minor in something like environmental studies or women’s rights so that I can bring an educated perspective to whatever field I focus on. I feel especially drawn towards these areas and believe that all fields of study could benefit from input regarding these topics. There will never be a lack of causes that need advocating for, and I hope to be an agent of change in whatever way I can.

Daniela and her parents are pictured with Paul Hart Miller,  JFK board member and scholarship committee member.

Daniela with JFK Hyannis Museum’s Director Wendy Northcross.