📜 The Past is Prologue Essay Contest
Organized by: American Battle Monuments Foundation (ABMF)
This contest invites students to explore the legacy of American military service overseas by writing about a historic battle linked to a U.S. military cemetery or monument managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
🎯 Age Categories
- Category I: Ages 11–12
- Category II: Ages 13–15
- Category III: Ages 16–18
📝 Contest Overview
- Focus on a specific battle tied to an overseas American cemetery or monument
- Demonstrate historical research, analysis, and personal reflection
- Judged by age category for fairness
- Top essays may be featured and recognized by ABMF
🌐 How to Enter
📄 JROTC Essay Contest
The JROTC Essay Contest gives cadets the opportunity to synthesize lessons from the curriculum and express their leadership insights through writing — a cornerstone of 21st Century education.
📚 SY 2024–25 Theme: Integrity
This year’s theme is integrity. Full contest details, rubrics, and essay allocations are provided via the official OPORD and annexes. Consult your Brigade POC for local submission deadlines — they may be earlier than the national suspense date.
🏅 SY 2023–24 Winners
Congratulations to these outstanding cadets recognized by their Brigade:
- 2nd BDE
Cadet Danny Song, Cranston High School, Cranston RI
AI: CSM (R) Moniz - 3rd BDE
Cadet David Brol, Marmion Military Academy, Aurora IL
AI: SFC (R) Norton - 4th BDE
Cadet Keone Davis, Goldsboro High School, Goldsboro NC
AI: 1SG (R) Gray - 5th BDE
Cadet Emily Balandran, High School for Law & Justice, Houston TX
SAI: MAJ (R) Bolanos - 6th BDE
Cadet Julissa John, Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
SAI: MAJ Benjamin - 7th BDE
Cadet Te’Onja Hinds, Northwest High School, Clarksville TN
SAI: CW4 (R) Perez - 8th BDE
Cadet MSG Victor Martinez, Samuel F. B. Morse High School, San Diego CA
SAI: MAJ (R) Mathson
📜 The Past is Prologue Essay Contest
Organized by: American Battle Monuments Foundation (ABMF)
This contest invites students to explore the legacy of American military service overseas by writing about a historic battle linked to a U.S. military cemetery or monument managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
🎯 Age Categories
- Category I: Ages 11–12
- Category II: Ages 13–15
- Category III: Ages 16–18
📝 Contest Overview
- Focus on a specific battle tied to an overseas American cemetery or monument
- Demonstrate historical research, analysis, and personal reflection
- Judged by age category for fairness
- Top essays may be featured and recognized by ABMF
🌐 How to Enter
📄 JROTC Essay Contest
The JROTC Essay Contest gives cadets the opportunity to synthesize lessons from the curriculum and express their leadership insights through writing — a cornerstone of 21st Century education.
📚 SY 2024–25 Theme: Integrity
This year’s theme is integrity. Full contest details, rubrics, and essay allocations are provided via the official OPORD and annexes. Consult your Brigade POC for local submission deadlines — they may be earlier than the national suspense date.
🏅 SY 2023–24 Winners
Congratulations to these outstanding cadets recognized by their Brigade:
- 2nd BDE
Cadet Danny Song, Cranston High School, Cranston RI
AI: CSM (R) Moniz - 3rd BDE
Cadet David Brol, Marmion Military Academy, Aurora IL
AI: SFC (R) Norton - 4th BDE
Cadet Keone Davis, Goldsboro High School, Goldsboro NC
AI: 1SG (R) Gray - 5th BDE
Cadet Emily Balandran, High School for Law & Justice, Houston TX
SAI: MAJ (R) Bolanos - 6th BDE
Cadet Julissa John, Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
SAI: MAJ Benjamin - 7th BDE
Cadet Te’Onja Hinds, Northwest High School, Clarksville TN
SAI: CW4 (R) Perez - 8th BDE
Cadet MSG Victor Martinez, Samuel F. B. Morse High School, San Diego CA
SAI: MAJ (R) Mathson
