UIL Essay Contest

Important Update: UIL Essay Contest

The UIL has implemented changes to the 2025 essay contests. These updates unify the previous essay contests into a single essay competition and expand its scope, offering students more opportunities to explore and celebrate Texas history and culture, while maintaining the existing evaluation rubric and general guidelines. In honor of Barbara Jordan’s profound legacy in Texas history, the consolidated contest will be known as the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition.

Please note:

• Essays already submitted for the 2025 contest are not affected by these changes.
• To give students more time to prepare their submissions, the entry deadline has been extended to March 1, 2025.

Please review the updated guidelines below.

Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition 2025

Essays should focus on an individual, organization or movement that has made significant and positive contributions to Texas history or culture. Students should look first to their local communities for possible essay subjects.

Entry Deadline: March 1, 2025

Essay Entry Form: Submit essay using this form

General Guidelines

• Essay with a word count between 1,500 and 2,500 words
• MLA format or APA format is recommended 
• Source citations and bibliography required
• Essays should display original research; use of primary sources and interviews strongly encouraged

State finalists will be invited to attend the State Academic Meet in May, where UIL will award state champions by conference divisions based on the number of entries received.

Competition Structure and Awards

• Any student in grades 9-12 who attends a UIL member high school is eligible to enter
• Judges will evaluate each entry and provide comments that will be returned to the contestants
• Judges will nominate essays to be considered as state finalists
• A selection committee will determine state finalists from among the nominees
• All state finalists will become eligible to apply for Texas Interscholastic League Foundation scholarships