The Hope & Stanley Adelstein Free Speech Essay Contest

City Club of Cleveland

A 500-1000 word essay contest open to all high school students in Northeastern Ohio. There are two categories of judging – 9/10 grade and 11/12 grade.

2025 Prompt: In recent years, student protests on various issues have sparked debate over the balance between free speech and institutional authority. In some cases, universities have responded with disciplinary actions such as suspensions or expulsions when students did not comply with warnings to end their protests. In light of this, think of a current or past example where student's free speech has been questioned or challenged. Should students be punished for expressing their views, or does free speech protect their right to protest? How much control should schools have over student expression, and where should the limits be drawn?

Qualifications:

*All Northeast Ohio high school students are eligible to participate.

*Essays must be 500-1,000 words.

*Students should use 3 to 5 articles from reliable, valid sources in their essay.

*Each submitted essay should pull from personal experience, current events, history, politics, art, or any other source that can be backed up with evidence.

*Essays will be judged on their clarity, content, originality, and significance.

Award Amount:
$100-$1,000

Deadline:
February 14, 2025