George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

Arizona state first place: $500; national cash prize varies by year and is not confirmed for 2027

Deadline

Arizona lists December 31 annually; chapter may be earlier

How to apply

Enter through a participating SAR chapter. Arizona rules require an original researched English essay of 800-1,200 words, title page, bibliography, biography and at least five references including three books.

What you'll need

• An essay
• Entry through a local chapter or club

Who can apply

U.S. citizen or legal alien in grades 9-12 at a public, private, parochial or accredited home school; prior national first-place winners may not reenter.

Good to know

Arizona page lists an old $2,000 national first prize, while a later national rules PDF lists $6,000. The national handbook explicitly says national amounts are set annually. Enter through a local chapter before its own deadline.

Details

History