High School Contests – Florida Society SAR
George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest
Overview
Research a topic from the American Revolutionary War period (1750-1800) and write an essay. Awards historical accuracy, significance, and writing skills.Eligibility
- Grades 9-12
- Public, charter, private, online, and home school students
- Youth organization members (Scouts, 4-H, CAR) encouraged
Requirements
- 800-1,200 word original essay
- Topic: Event, person, philosophy, or ideal from American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or Constitution framing
- Judged on: historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar/spelling, documentation
- No plagiarized or AI-generated content
- One entry per student per year
Prizes (State Level)
- 1st Place: $1,000
- 2nd Place: $500
- 3rd Place: $250
Resources
- Contest rules: https://www.sar.org/george-s-stella-m-knight-essay-contest/
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Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest
Overview
Showcase knowledge and public speaking by delivering a memorized speech on America’s fight for independence.Eligibility
- Grades 9-12
- All school types welcome
Requirements
- 5-6 minute original oration from memory
- No notes, visual aids, or props
- Topic: Revolutionary War-era event, individual, or document
- Include reference to America’s 250th anniversary
- No plagiarized or AI-generated content
Prizes (State Level)
- 1st Place: $1,000
- 2nd Place: $500
- 3rd Place: $250
Resources
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Youth Video Contest
Overview
Create a video about a person, battle, document, or event from the American Revolution. Any creative style welcome—documentary, dramatization, interview, news report, movie trailer, music video, animation, etc.Eligibility
- Grades 6-12
- Individual or group submissions
Requirements
- 3-5 minutes length
- Original content based on scholarly research
- Minimum 3 scholarly references
- Formats: MP4, MOV, WMV, AVI
- No copyright violations
Prizes (State Level)
- 1st Place: $500
- 2nd Place: $300
- 3rd Place: $200
Resources
- Contest rules: https://www.sar.org/youth-video-contest/