The entry period is open for the 2025 High School Essay Contest sponsored by the lawyers and judges of the U.S. Distrcit Court, Middle District of Florida and the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association.

All high school students—public, private, virtual and homeschool—in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Hamilton, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee and Union counties may submit an essay by Sept. 30.

In its eighth year, the contest is a signature component of the local federal court’s community outreach efforts.

It provides educators a way to encourage critical thinking, analysis and writing, while offering students a way to practice those skills and win cash prizes.

This year’s essay prompt challenges students to reflect on a personal experience involving advocacy:

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