The Hope & Stanley Adelstein Free Speech Essay Contest

City Club of Cleveland

THE 2026 APPLICATION HAS CLOSED. 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.

2026 Prompt: Social media has transformed how young people engage in dialogue, build community, and advocate for the issues that matter most to them. Yet as online expression expands, so do questions about free speech, responsibility, and the role of institutions in shaping that discourse. In a democratic society that values open dialogue, how should schools, communities, and digital platforms balance the right to free expression with accountability? And what responsibilities come with having a public voice in the digital age?

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 entry is assigned a number. Essays are blind-scored by number only; no student or school names are identified. Do not include the student name or school name within the body of your essay. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

All first-place winners of each category are invited to read their winning essays at the start of a City Club forum.

IMPORTANT REMINDER – Your essay and file name can NOT include any personal identifiers (ex: your name, school, teacher, etc.)

Award Amount:
$100-$1,000

Deadline:
February 13, 2026