Prizes

The following prizes will be awarded:

• 10 First-Place Winners: Each of the 10 First-Place Winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., (tentatively scheduled for June 18-23, 2006) to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other historic sites with teachers and Holocaust survivors (valued at over $2,500), a gold medal, and a Certificate of Participation. In addition, each First-Place Winner will receive a scholarship ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
   
• 10 Second-Place Winners: Each of the 10 Second-Place Winners will receive $300, a silver medal, and a Certificate of Participation.
   
• 10 Third-Place Winners: Each of the 10 Third-Place Winners will receive $100, a bronze medal, and a Certificate of Participation.
   
• Scholarships: The 10 First-Place Winning Essays will be evaluated by a separate panel of judges and scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will be awarded to those 10 essayists and will be announced in Washington, D.C.
   

2006 Official Contest Rules

Read all of the contest rules. Entries that do not adhere strictly to these rules and guidelines will not be judged. This contest is open to all students age 19 and under who meet the following criteria: (1) are currently enrolled as a high school student in grades 9-12 (including home schooled students) or who are high school seniors who may graduate high school at any time in 2006, or are students who are enrolled in a high school equivalency program; AND (2) are residents of either the United States or Mexico or who are United States Citizens living abroad.

ONLINE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Students are strongly encouraged to submit their essays online! All essays must be uploaded by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Monday, May 1, 2006. You will not be able to upload your essay or edit any information you may have begun to upload after 5:00 p.m. (EST) on May 1, 2006.

MAIL-IN ESSAYS: Only if you are unable to submit your essay online should you mail your entry to us.  Mail to: Holocaust Remembrance Project, c/o Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation, Inc., 201 N. Franklin Street, 11th Floor, Tampa, Florida 33602. All entries must be RECEIVED by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Monday, May 1, 2006. Together with your completed Entry Form, submit two (2) copies of your typewritten or word-processed double-spaced essay (1” margins, please) of no more than 1,200 words. Every student who submits a paper copy of their essay must submit with their essay a signed copy of the Entry Form. Attach the Entry Form to the two copies of your essay and mail together. Do not mail the Entry Form separate from the essay.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Every essay must include either a Works Cited, Reference Page, or Bibliography. When conducting your word count, include all words contained on your cover page (if any), the body of your essay, and words used in your Works Cited, Reference Page or Bibliography. Essays must be in English. Do not include your name anywhere on any page of your essay (other than on your title page, if you have one). While this is a creative writing contest, research must be an integral element of the writing process and essays must contain a Works Cited, Reference Page or Bibliography, citing all materials used in the research and writing of the essay (parenthetical documentation must accompany research). The essay must be in prose format and may be a commentary or interpretation of primary and secondary source material such as: historical and reference material; interviews, eyewitness accounts and oral testimonies; official documents and other primary sources; readings from diaries, letters, autobiographies and works of poetry; video or audiotapes, films, art, CD-ROM and Internet sources. The essay must be primarily directed toward examining this year’s writing prompt. The essay must not be a fictitious story or poem. Submissions that adhere to the guidelines will be judged with special attention to: (1) evidence of relevant reading and thoughtful use of resource materials; (2) treatment of the assigned theme; (3) clear and effective language, mechanics and grammar; and (4) a coherent plan of organization.

Entries may be submitted either online via our Web site or via U.S. Mail (or other delivery service). Entries may not be sent via facsimile or e-mail. Entries must be received by the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST), May 1, 2006. Entries that arrive after 5:00 p.m. (EST), May 1, 2006, will not be accepted under any circumstances. Entries will be judged anonymously and will not be returned to students. Each essay submitted must be the work of one student and may not be the collective work of more than one student. By submitting an essay, applicants certify that their essays are original, authored solely by them and that in writing their essay they did not plagiarize or otherwise infringe upon the rights of any third parties. It is not necessary for a student to have a sponsoring teacher in order to participate in this contest. Certificates of Participation will be sent by June 1, 2006 to the residence of all students who submit a qualifying essay. Winners will be notified of contest results and winning essays will be posted to our Web site by June 1, 2006. The ten First-Place Winners will join teachers and Holocaust survivors for an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., tentatively scheduled for June 18-23, 2006. Scholarship winners will be selected from the ten First-Place Winners and will be announced at a special awards dinner in Washington, D.C. Scholarships will be paid to student’s post-secondary educational institution after student has graduated high school and upon Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation’s receipt of a copy of student’s registration paperwork from said post-secondary educational institution. All essays submitted may be used or published in whole or in part by the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation or by other parties with its written permission. The Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation reserves the right not to publish any essay it deems inappropriate for any reason. First-Place Winners MUST agree to participate in the entire trip to Washington, D.C., in order to receive a scholarship. In the event that a First-Place Winner is unable or unwilling to participate in the trip to Washington, D.C., in its entirety, no substitution prize will be awarded. The Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation reserves the right not to award a prize or any prizes when submissions do not meet contest standards or criteria. Former Holocaust Remembrance Project first-place winning students are not eligible to enter this year’s writing contest. Employees and family members of Holland & Knight LLP and the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation are not eligible to participate in this essay contest. For more information, visit our Web site at www.holocaust.hklaw.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-452-2737.  E-mail questions (no essays) to holocaust@hklaw.com
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am a resident of the United States, but not a United States Citizen. May I participate in the essay contest?

A: YES. The contest is open to all residents of the United States and Mexico and United States Citizens living abroad.

Q: Is the contest open only to high school seniors?

A: No. Anyone age 19 or under who is currently enrolled in high school grades 9-12 (including home schooled students) may be eligible to participate. See Contest Rules for eligibility requirements.

Q: I am a high school senior who will be graduating early this year. Am I eligible to participate?

A: If you are a high school senior who will be graduating at any time in 2006, you are considered eligible to participate in this year’s essay contest as a high school student.

Q: What exactly should I write my essay about?

A: You may write your essay on any aspect of the Holocaust that interests you. Remember to incorporate answers to the questions posed in the writing prompt in your essay.

Q: When I do my word count, should I include words used in my bibliography too?

A: Yes. Your word count must include every word used in your essay, including the bibliography. You may not exceed 1,200 total words.

Q: When is the entry deadline?

A: All essays must be RECEIVED no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on May 1, 2006.

Q: If I were to be chosen as a First-Place Winner, would I have to participate in the trip to Washington, D.C., in order to receive my scholarship?

A: Yes. If you are not able or willing to participate in the entirety of the trip to Washington, D.C., then you will forfeit your scholarship and no substitution prize will be awarded.

Submit an Essay Online

Submit your essay entry to the 2006 Holocaust Remembrance Project right here on our web site!

Attention Teachers

Are you a high school teacher who is interested in being one of a select group of teachers invited to participate in our first-place winners’ all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., tentatively scheduled for June 18-23, 2006? You’ll experience a life-changing week as you visit our nation’s capitol and share experiences with the winning students, other teachers and Holocaust survivors. You’ll also receive many valuable Holocaust-related teaching resources (valued at over $1,000) and participate in special training sessions designed to give you the tools you need to share the Holocaust with your students. In addition, you may be eligible to receive up to 30 hours of in-service credits for your participation in the trip. For an application, click here to download a PDF of the file or contact us toll free at 1-866-452-2737 or via e-mail at holocaust@hklaw.com.

Free Teacher Guide Available On-line!