Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, is accepting essay submissions from now through April 20, 2025 for the Independence Day Writing Challenge. Winners will get the chance to read their essays aloud at Hopewell Furnace’s Independence Day public program on July 4, 2025.
The contest is open to all students in grades 6 – 12 who attend public or private schools, or who attend home school, within the boundaries of the following local school districts: Antietam, Boyertown, Coatesville, Daniel Boone, Downingtown, Exeter, Governor Mifflin, Oley Valley, Owen J Roberts, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove, Pottstown, Reading, Spring-Ford, Twin Valley, Wyomissing.
Contest Details
Grade Levels: 6 – 12 Prompt: What is your pursuit of happiness?
Essay Criteria:
500 words or less (Grades 9 – 12)
300 words or less (Grades 6 – 8)
One essay submitted per person
Essays must be written solely by the candidate and cannot contain any plagiarized material.
Present a clear theme statement related to the prompt Provides sufficient content supporting theme statement
Next Steps: Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges based on the criteria above with the top 3 from each grade group being selected for cash awards of $125 for 1st, $100 for 2nd, and $75 for 3rd. Top 3 selectees from each age group will also be invited to participate in the park’s Independence Day public program on July 4th.
Information to include in all submissions:
Student Name
Grade
Name of the school or school district student is in
Private and Home-schooled students welcome
Name of a parent or guardian and their email address
