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Essay Contest Scholarship

The Hayes Kennedy Scholarship is a $2,000 award given annually to a citizen who presents the best original essay on a selected topic related to the Constitution of the United States or the Illinois Constitution. The winner of the Essay Contest will receive the Hayes Kennedy Scholarship, named in honor of one of the co-founders of Premier Boys State. The essay must be over 500 words, but should not exceed 1000 words in length. Essays must be typed using good literary style, properly paragraphed, punctuated, etc.  All contestants are required to submit their essay electronically before the deadline. Although not required, work on the essays prior to arriving at Boys State is allowed. Additional procedures and the required passwords to submit essays will be provided during the session.

The Constitution of the United States creates three coequal branches of government –the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. While the phrase is not explicitly in the Constitution, the Constitution contains numerous checks and balances to ensure that none of the individual branches become more powerful than intended. Such checks and balances include:

• Cabinet members and Ambassadors are appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate
• Congress can override a Presidential Veto by a 2/3 vote
• The President appoints federal judges, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate
• The Judicial Branch can declare laws or executive actions as unconstitutional through Judicial Review
• Congress can impeach and remove the President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States for high crimes and misdemeanors
• Congress controls the funding for all government activities

There have, of course, been several changes to the country and its government in the 237 years since the ratification of the Constitution. Are the checks and balances in the Constitution still appropriate for today’s America? Why or why not? If not, or even if you believe only minor reforms are needed, what changes would you propose?

Speech Contest Scholarship

The Commander’s Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship awarded annually to the citizen who prepared the best original four to six minute speech on a selected topic about Abraham Lincoln. The Commander’s Scholarship has been established in honor of the current Commander of the American Legion of Illinois. After a preliminary round of individual presentations, a maximum of ten finalists will be selected to deliver their speeches before qualified judges. The final decision will be based on the customary speech contest points of content, organization, and delivery. Contestants must understand that the contest is for original speeches only and that the customary rules of such contests which limit direct quotations to fifty words at one time will be enforced. Contestants are free to use notes during their presentation. Although not required, work on the speech prior to arriving at Boys State is allowed.

On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address…now inscribed on the walls of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Six weeks later, on April 15, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

To honor the 160th anniversary of these two events, this year’s oral topic is “The Lincoln Legacy”. Your oration should address Abraham Lincoln’s enduring legacy and its impact on 21st century American society.