The Hazleton Rotary Club and Rotary District 7410 are again sponsoring an essay contest with a cash prize for students in who are juniors or seniors in high schools in the Hazleton Rotary area.
- Essays are submitted individually by the student via email to Kim McNulty, Hazleton Rotary Essay Contest Chair, at kmcnulty@mmiprep.org no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.
- Essays are reviewed locally by a Committee and a local winner is selected. The local essay winner will receive a prize of $100 and will be invited to a Hazleton Rotary Club meeting in the spring to read his/her winning essay to the Club’s members.
- The local winner’s essay will be submitted to Rotary District 7410 to compete at the District level against local winners from all over Northeastern Pennsylvania.
- District readers will evaluate all local winner essays and the top three in the District will be awarded prizes of $1,000 (first place), $500 (second place), and $250 (third place).
Hazleton Rotary Essay Contest
Student Guidelines
Open to High School Juniors & Seniors
Deadline is February 27, 2026
Theme: Unite for Good
Rotary International’s theme this year is Unite for Good. It reminds us that true progress begins when people come together with a shared purpose. The word unite speaks to the strength we find in one another. When we combine our talents, compassion, and resources across clubs, schools, organizations, and communities, we expand our reach and create lasting change. Rotary service cannot be measured by a single project or one year of effort. Its impact grows over time, especially through education and literacy, where the seeds we plant today will benefit future generations.
Essay Prompt:
Please reflect on the meaning of Unite for Good in your own life, school, or community. Describe a specific example from your life where uniting for a common purpose made a difference. Why is it important to think beyond short-term goals and build something that endures?
Your essay should show reflection on Rotary’s message and demonstrate how collaboration, perseverance, and service can help shape a better world.
Prizes
Hazleton Rotary will select one local winner and award a prize of $100. The local winner will be submitted to the District, and the essay will be judged at the District level. The winning writer at the District level will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize. There will be a $500 prize for second place, and $250 prize for third place.
Length & Presentation Method
The essay should be approximately 1,000 words. The essay should be typewritten, double-spaced, and must be submitted with the following information: Student Name, School Name, Grade Level, Student Email, Parent/Guardian Name, Parent/Guardian Email, Parent/Guardian Phone, and Parent/Guardian Mailing Address.
Submission
Essays must be saved as a PDF file and attached to an email which is then submitted. Google Docs and/or links to essays will not be accepted. The essay should be submitted via email to Kim McNulty, Hazleton Rotary Essay Contest Chair, at kmcnulty@mmiprep.org no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.
AI Use Policy
Essays must be written entirely by the student. Use of artificial intelligence tools for drafting, rewriting, or editing is not permitted. Entries suspected of AI assistance may be subject to follow-up review. Students certify upon submission that the work is their own and understand that violation will result in disqualification.