The National WWII Museum’s annual Student Writing Contest challenges students across the country to respond to prompts based on WWII topics and themes. The contest is open to US students in grades 7–12 attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; US students under the age of 20 enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the US territories; and US citizens attending schools overseas.
Scholarship Details
- Focuses on the experiences of Japanese American service members during World War II
- Highlights the service of units including the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service
- Explores the meaning of the "Go for Broke" motto and the commitment demonstrated by Japanese American service members
- Encourages students to connect this history with contemporary issues involving civil liberties
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a current high school student
- Must prepare an original speech addressing the assigned topic
- Must use evidence from at least three of the provided historical sources
- Must incorporate knowledge of U.S. history into the submission
Application Process
- Write a speech from the perspective of a Japanese American service member who served during World War II and is addressing students today.
- Explain the service member's motivation for enlisting despite the discrimination and civil liberties violations Japanese Americans faced during the period.
- Discuss the opposition or challenges the service member may have encountered and how people today might view the decision to serve.
- Examine the legacy of Japanese American military service and explain its relevance to civil liberties in the United States today.
- Support the speech with evidence from at least three provided sources as well as your own knowledge of U.S. history.
- Review the completed speech for accuracy and adherence to the scholarship requirements before submitting the application.
The National WWII Museum is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, illegible, or incomplete submissions. By entering, you agree that your essay will become the property of The National WWII Museum and will not be returned. The National WWII Museum reserves the right to print and display the names, photographs, and entries of the contest winners.
