Are you a middle school student with a voice worth hearing? The Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation is thrilled to announce our latest Essay Writing Contest! This is your chance to showcase your writing skills, share your wisdom, and compete for some fantastic prizes.
The Challenge: Advice for the Ages
Imagine that you could give advice to someone—it could be someone you know personally, a historical figure, or a famous person living today.
Write an essay that identifies the person and the advice you would give. Choose a familiar subject so that you can provide details and explain why this person needs your advice.
Contest Prizes
We have some incredible rewards lined up for our top three writers:
1st Place: Amazon Fire 7 tablet
2nd Place: $50.00 Gift Card for Barnes & Noble
3rd Place: $25.00 Gift Card for Barnes & Noble
Eligibility & Rules
To ensure your essay is considered, please review the following requirements carefully:
Who can enter: Middle school students (grades 5-8) attending public, private, or homeschool programs in the United States.
Submission limit: Only one essay per student.
Word Count: 300–500 words.
Formatting Requirements: All essays must be typed in Times New Roman, 12-pt font and submitted as a Microsoft Word or PDF file. Please ensure your document includes:
Double-spacing and 1-inch margins.
Page numbers and a unique essay title.
Identification: The student’s name, age, and grade must appear on each page of the essay.
How to Enter
Deadline: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Entries must be complete to be eligible. You must include an official entry form signed by a parent or teacher. You can submit your work in one of two ways:
- Electronic Entry: https://forms.gle/DudK3FsTdKqEFpcB8
- Mail Entry: Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation 3680 Wilshire Blvd Ste P04 – 1516 Los Angeles, CA 90010
Note: Only the person entering the essay is eligible to win. No substitutes are accepted, and only one person is allowed per entry form.
Questions?
We are here to help! If you have any questions regarding the contest or the submission process, please reach out to us at: info@barbaraseniorsharkinsfoundation.org
We can’t wait to read your stories and insights. Good luck to all our young writers!
