2025 BLACK HISTORY MONTH Essay Contest

1. Contestants must email submissions to sonja@sonjaabrown.com
2. Contestants must write an original essay with limited guidance from others.
3. Mayor Sonja A. Brown will have the right to edit, publish, or otherwise duplicate any essay entered into the contest without payment to the author.
4. Due to the potential number of entries received, only winners will be contacted with the results.
5. There is no entry fee for this contest.

1. The contest is open to all students in grades 4-12.  
2. Scholars may submit only one essay entry during each contest.

1. Essays must address the official contest theme.
2. Essays must be typed and double-spaced.
3. Elementary student essays must be between 200 - 300 words.
4. Middle and school student essays must be between 500 - 600 words.
5. Any quotations or copyrighted material used in the essays must be identified properly. Failure to identify non-original material will result in disqualification.
6. Essays must be written in English.

1. Judging will be completed by a panel of qualified judges.
2. Judges will not discuss or compare essays until all essays have been judged.

 All contest entries become the property of Mayor Sonja A. Brown.  Mayor Brown reserves the right to use any and all information related to the contest, including submissions provided by the contestants, for editorial, marketing, and any other purpose, unless prohibited by law. Participants hereby grant Mayor Brown a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to broadcast, publish, store, reproduce, distribute, syndicate, and otherwise use and exhibit the submission (along with their names, voices, performance, and/or likenesses) in all media now known and later come into being for purposes of trade or advertising without compensation. Participants represent and warrant that they have the full legal right, power, and authority to grant Mayor Brown the foregoing license and if applicable, have secured all necessary rights from any participants in, and contributors to their submission in order to grant such a license. Mayor Brown is under no obligation to use any submission or return the submissions to participants. 

 By participating in the contest, you agree to release Mayor Sonja A. Brown, the City of Glenn Heights, and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, employees, directors, officers, and agents from any and all liability, claims, or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with your participation in the essay contest. Mayor Brown and the City of Glenn Heights are not responsible for late, lost, or misdirected emails or for any computer, online, telephone, or technical malfunctions that may occur. If for any reason, the contest is not capable of running as planned, Mayor Brown may cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest.