High School Essay Contest
The annual Ivan Allen Jr. Civic Responsibility Essay Contest
$500 Cash Prize for Best Essay by a High School Senior
Each year, in conjunction with the College’s Founder’s Day Awards Celebration honoring Ivan Allen Jr., the Ivan Allen College recognizes a Georgia high school senior who has submitted the best essay on civic responsibility. Following is a description of the essay and contest rules.
The Essay
An individual who exhibits civic leadership shows a willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the good of the community. Ivan Allen Jr. was such an individual. As Atlanta's mayor from 1962 to 1970, Allen played a major leadership role during the civil rights movement both in the city and in the nation. He worked diligently to bring the races together in Atlanta and was the only important white southern politician who supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in testimony before Congress, a risk that could have ended his political career. Mayor Allen also sought to establish Atlanta as a progressive Southern city through expansion of the airport, attraction of major professional sports teams, and active support of the arts and culture.
The purpose of this Ivan Allen Jr. Civic Responsibility Essay Contest is to illuminate moral behavior and civic responsibility by American leaders and institutions. All entries must be postmarked February 1, 2009.
2009 Essay Topic
Discuss an American individual, past or present, who has made a contribution to the prevention of disease and the improvement of health care at home or abroad.
Award and Recognition:
A cash award of $500 will be given to the author of the best senior essay. An additional $500 scholarship will be provided to any contest winner who subsequently enrolls in a degree program in the Ivan Allen College at Georgia Tech.The winner, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will attend an awards ceremony at Founder's Day at Georgia Tech on March 12, 2009. The winning essay will become part of the permanent archives collections at Georgia Tech and the Atlanta History Center.
Submission Requirements:
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Essays must be in English and not more than 1,200 words in length.
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Students may submit only one essay.
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Essays must be submitted with a signed cover page, available below.
How to Submit Your Essay:
Send the completed cover page available below and three copies of your essay to:
Dr. John Tone, Associate Dean
Ivan Allen College
Georgia Institute of Technology
781 Marietta Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
Do not identify the essay's author on anything but the cover page.
All entries must be postmarked by February 1, 2009.
Evaluation Criteria and Process:
Georgia Tech will evaluate the essays using the following criteria:
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The essay demonstrates a strong understanding of the subject.
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The essay reflects familiarity with primary sources related to the subject.
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The essay is well-researched, well-reasoned, and adequately documented, using Chicago Manual of Style or MLA documentation.
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The essay is written clearly, with correct spelling and grammar.
Eligibility
To be eligible to submit an essay, students must either:
be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. AND currently enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade of a public, private, or parochial high school (whether in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or high schools overseas) as of the contest deadline of February 1, 2009;
OR
be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. , participating in a high school correspondence course or home schooling program, AND no younger than 16 years old and no older than 18 years old as of the contest deadline of February 1, 2009.
Relatives of Georgia Tech employees are not eligible.
Questions?
Please send e-mail inquiries to john.tone@iac.gatech.edu.
Ivan Allen Jr. Civic Responsibility Essay Contest Cover Sheet (.doc download)
Ivan Allen Jr. Civic Responsibility Essay Contest Rules (.doc download)
"Ivan Allen Jr. is a legend in Atlanta and for Georgia Tech. He was a national leader during the crucible of the development during the Civil Rights movement, and he has always been a loyal and dedicated Georgia Tech Alumnus."
