Contest Information
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.
The maximum word count is 1,000 with a minimum of 700, not including citations and bibliography. Use at least five varied sources such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews.
All submissions must adhere to contest requirements.
All submissions must adhere to contest requirements.
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.
Contest Policies
All entries must be postmarked or received by January 4, 2018, with the required registration form available on this web site. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, illegible, or incomplete submissions.
Decisions of the Profile in Courage Award Committee are final. Winners will be notified by mail and via telephone by March 31. All participants will receive a letter notifying them of the winners along with a Certificate of Participation by the end of May.
By entering, you agree that your essay will become the property of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and will not be returned. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation reserves the right to print and display the essays and photographs of the contest winners.
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John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
Mailed essays must be postmarked by January 4, 2018.
Submit your essay online (preferred method)
To correctly prepare your essay and bibliography for online submission:
- Insert line breaks by hitting "Enter" after each paragraph and bibliographic entry.
- Be sure to use parenthetical citations in the text of your essay, not footnotes.
- Complete the Registration and Submission Form.
OR
Submit your essay via mail
- Complete the online registration form when you have completed your essay.
- Print out the completed online registration form along with two hard copies of your essay. Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, and printed only on one side of the paper.
- Attach your registration form to only one copy of your essay. Your second copy should contain no personal identification information.
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
Mailed essays must be postmarked by January 4, 2018.
Contact the Contest Coordinator
Important Note: Before contacting the Profile in Courage Essay Contest Coordinator, please be sure to read over the FAQ section of this web site.
Email: profiles@nara.gov
