Rules and Judging
Click here for 2023-24 Essay submission guidelines Essays are due time and date stamped at or before 11:59pm on Friday, March 22, 2024 Please email them to Lisahoward333@comcast.net ..................................................................... Scholarship Awards
There will be First place, Second place and Random Draw winners. First place will be a minimum of $2000; Second place minimum of $1500; After first and second place winners are selected, remaining essays are eligible for the Random Draw scholarships of $1000 each.
The Scholarships must be used for post-high school educational purposes. They are not renewable. Scholarship awards will be sent directly to your educational institution by the Wilcox Foundation. Please be sure the information you provide on your essay cover sheet is updated and accurate. Scholarship award certificates will be formally presented at your HS Honors Convocation. If your school does not have a formal presentation program, other arrangements will be made individually. |
2023-2024 Wilcox Essay Contest Topic
The Wilcox Foundation Annual Essay Contest 2023-24 Their mottos include: "Service Above Self", "One Profits Most Who Serves Best", and simply "We Serve". Plymouth's Service Clubs not only provide opportunities for fellowship and valuable human services to many in need, but are also responsible for many of the traditions that are uniquely Plymouth. The groups use those community events to raise both awareness and funds for their individual philanthropic efforts, as well as recruit new members who can continue the focus on service for the next generation. From single member contributions through the years, to large scale group efforts, the topic for your essay should explore the local beginnings and rich history of one or more of Plymouth's service organizations. Their contributions formed the foundation of many current community traditions, while their commitment to volunteerism has inspired many others to serve. Examples could be (but are not limited to): Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Civitans, Optimist Club, and Knights of Columbus. A combined Plymouth-Canton service group is also an acceptable topic focus. Some things to explore during your research and in your essay:
First person connection: Attend a Plymouth-Canton Service club meeting and connect with a current member (often the President or Historian) who can share their philanthropic mission, chapter or club history, and project focus with you. Current service clubs have websites, are listed with the district library and chambers of commerce. Historic archived documents and periodicals can be found at the Plymouth District Library and Plymouth Historical Museum. They are filled with information about past club meetings, community projects and events. Please see "Rules & Judging" Information at left for how to submit your essay. Please email lisahoward333@comcast.net with any questions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ RESOURCES The Plymouth Mail newspaper (later, the Plymouth Observer) is online through the Plymouth District Library’s website https://plymouthlibrary.org Get started with the Research and Learn tab. This is a great resource for advertisements and news articles on businesses, as well as notable social events. The Plymouth Historical Museum’s on site archives contains information on local Plymouth businesses and their owners. Call or stop in during museum hours and make an appointment to access these research resources! https://plymouthhistory.org Resource for Citation formatting https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html |