The Gamma Gamma Gamma and Epsilon Theta Chapters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., both located in Madison and active throughout Dane County, are hosting the 2025 International High School Essay Contest, an annual initiative designed to challenge young scholars and future leaders to think critically about today’s most pressing issues.
“At Omega Psi Phi, we do an annual essay contest as a way for us to really engage and empower youth again, kind of putting the opportunity in their hands,” Ebrahim Amara II, a member of the Gamma Gamma Gamma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Scholarship Committee chair, tells Maddison365. “Each year, we choose a new topic that’s pretty relevant to the current events or the time that we’re in, to give students a really good prompt to write about.”
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University, is a historically African American fraternity that promotes scholarship, service, and community leadership. With chapters worldwide, Omega Psi Phi works to uplift communities and inspire excellence.
The local chapters of Omega Psi Phi have been hosting the International High School Essay Contest for about a decade, Amara says. Local contest winners can take home a first-place prize of $500, a second-place prize of $250, and a third-place prize of $100.
“The first-place winner then gets a chance to move on to the district level, which includes contestants from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and then the winner from that gets a chance to go on to the international level,” Amara says. “So all of this really is aligned with our achievement week that highlights all the achievements that are happening around the fraternity.’
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This year’s essay topic is: “In a world powered by Artificial Intelligence, what does it mean to lead with integrity and purpose?”
“The questions are usually very interesting and timely. Last year’s winner was Nevaeh Tolson-Eveans from Sun Prairie East, who now attends Howard University. She wrote a pretty stellar essay that stood out amongst the other contestants,” Amara says.
The contest is open to all college-bound, high school seniors in the Dane County area who submit an essay application. The essay, which should be between 700 and 750 words in length, must be original and neither previously published nor secured by copyright.
The deadline to submit essays is Oct. 31 and the winner will be announced on Nov. 7.
High school seniors are invited to participate in the annual High School Essay Scholarship contest by clicking here. Educators, parents, and community members are encouraged to share this opportunity with eligible students.
“It’s a great opportunity for students. We’re taking all high school seniors in Dane County. So if anyone wants to participate, they certainly can. You don’t have to be of a certain gender or race or background. It’s all based upon their written skills,” Amara says. “This year, we’re really trying to get the word out to make sure that all Dane County schools are aware of this opportunity, and get as many applicants or contestants as possible.”
