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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.

2026 Essay Topic – Division of Power between the Federal Government and the States

The United States Constitution divides power between the federal government and the states through specific provisions such as the Interstate Commerce Clause, the Necessary and Proper Clause, and the Tenth Amendment. These elements, among others, outline which powers belong to the federal government, and which are reserved to the states.

The nation has, of course, changed significantly since the constitution was ratified in 1789 and the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791:

• 50 states that together encompass approximately 25 times the land area of the 13 colonies

• More travel, investment, migration, communication, and other collaboration across state lines

• An expanded federal government, particularly the Executive Branch

• Significant volume of case law, much of which has informed our interpretation of the Constitution and the application of its principles

In light of the evolution of our nation, is the division of power between the federal government and the states still appropriate for today’s America? Why or why not? If not, or even if you believe 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.

2026 Speech Contest – Reflections on 1861

The year 2026 marks the 165th anniversary of one of most tumultuous years in American History. As the year began on January 1st, Abraham Lincoln knew that secession, and possibly war, was inevitable. On March 4, 1861, he was sworn in as the 16th President of the United States. On April 12, 1861, the Confederates opened fire upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War had begun. By the end of 1861, the United States was in the midst of a war which would lay the foundation for many future generations to come…including ours. To commemorate the 165^th anniversary of 1861, your speech should cover the year 1861 from the perspective of Abraham Lincoln. Your speech should cover the timeline of 1861, beginning with his Farewell Address in Springfield, Illinois on February 11th through the rest of that year…the year of transition from citizen Abraham Lincoln to President Abraham Lincoln.