The 2025 R. Joel Senter Sr. Memorial Essay Contest
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Students in the 4th to the 12th grade in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate in this contest. The contest is divided into three categories:
NOTE: Previous 1st Place winners in this Category are not eligible to compete again.
NOTE: Previous 1st Place winners in this Category are not eligible to compete again.
NOTE: Previous 1st Place winners in this Category are not eligible to compete again.
Each Entrant must have an adult sponsor, 21 years of age or older. The role of the Sponsor is to ensure that the Entrant follows the Contest Rules and to provide guidance to the Entrant.
Sponsors may not write or edit the essay for Entrants. The essays must be entirely the work of the students. However, the Sponsor may make suggestions to the Entrant prior to the start of the essay composition as specified in this document.
Sponsors and Entrants should read the Essay Questions carefully before starting the essay. It includes questions that Sponsors may wish to suggest to the Entrants as the subjects of their essay.
Essays must include a fully completed Cover Sheet/Entry Form as included on this website. Essays received by the Beacon Society without this completed form will not be read and will not be eligible for prizes.
Essays are to be written in English, using word-processing software such as Microsoft Word or an equivalent, in a 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Sponsors may guide the Entrants in complying with this requirement.
The Entrant’s name, email address and the page number (page x of x) must appear in the lower left-hand corner of the footer of each page following the Cover Sheet. A Sponsor may assist the Entrant in formatting the pages.
Entrants will be judged on the quality of their essays. Judging criteria are accessible under the JUDGING tab. Sponsors and Entrants are encouraged to review the judging criteria before beginning their essays.
Teachers may sponsor multiple Entrants per classroom per Essay Contest Category for judging.
There is a limit of 10 entries per classroom.
Parents may sponsor an essay for each of their children in any Essay Contest Category.
Entrants may email their own essays, or they may be emailed by the Entrant’s Sponsor on the Entrant’s behalf.
Essays must be emailed and received by the Beacon Society by April 01, 2025 to be eligible for the prizes. Essays may be submitted at any time during the contest period and need not wait until the end of the contest period.
Essays received by Beacon Society will not be returned to the Entrant or the Sponsor.
If you have additional questions, please email Ann Andriacco at [email protected]
Prizes in each Category Prizes will include:
1st Place – a Plaque and Cash Prize ($500 for 10-12th grade winner; $300 for 4-9th grade
winner)
2nd Place - a Plaque and $200 Cash Prize
3rd Place - a Plaque and $100 Cash Prize
The winners will be announced shortly after the contest deadline. If possible, the Beacon Society will have a member of the Society present the Senter Prizes at the contest winner’s school. If an in-person presentation is not possible, the Senter Prizes will be mailed to the winners.
Sponsors may not write or edit the essay for Entrants. The essays must be entirely the work of the students. However, the Sponsor may make suggestions to the Entrant prior to the start of the essay composition as specified in this document.
Sponsors and Entrants should read the Essay Questions carefully before starting the essay. It includes questions that Sponsors may wish to suggest to the Entrants as the subjects of their essay.
Essays must include a fully completed Cover Sheet/Entry Form as included on this website. Essays received by the Beacon Society without this completed form will not be read and will not be eligible for prizes.
Essays are to be written in English, using word-processing software such as Microsoft Word or an equivalent, in a 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Sponsors may guide the Entrants in complying with this requirement.
The Entrant’s name, email address and the page number (page x of x) must appear in the lower left-hand corner of the footer of each page following the Cover Sheet. A Sponsor may assist the Entrant in formatting the pages.
Entrants will be judged on the quality of their essays. Judging criteria are accessible under the JUDGING tab. Sponsors and Entrants are encouraged to review the judging criteria before beginning their essays.
Teachers may sponsor multiple Entrants per classroom per Essay Contest Category for judging.
There is a limit of 10 entries per classroom.
Parents may sponsor an essay for each of their children in any Essay Contest Category.
Entrants may email their own essays, or they may be emailed by the Entrant’s Sponsor on the Entrant’s behalf.
Essays must be emailed and received by the Beacon Society by April 01, 2025 to be eligible for the prizes. Essays may be submitted at any time during the contest period and need not wait until the end of the contest period.
Essays received by Beacon Society will not be returned to the Entrant or the Sponsor.
If you have additional questions, please email Ann Andriacco at [email protected]
Prizes in each Category Prizes will include:
1st Place – a Plaque and Cash Prize ($500 for 10-12th grade winner; $300 for 4-9th grade
winner)
2nd Place - a Plaque and $200 Cash Prize
3rd Place - a Plaque and $100 Cash Prize
The winners will be announced shortly after the contest deadline. If possible, the Beacon Society will have a member of the Society present the Senter Prizes at the contest winner’s school. If an in-person presentation is not possible, the Senter Prizes will be mailed to the winners.