JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Students write an essay analyzing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official since 1917, competing for cash prizes.
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We the People – California
Students study the Constitution and testify as constitutional experts in simulated congressional hearings; state champion advances to nationals in D.C.
Academic WorldQuest
A fast-paced team trivia competition for high school students testing knowledge of international politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures; teams first compete in local contests hosted by roughly 30 World Affairs Councils nationwide before winners advance to the national championship in Washington, D.C. each April.
Reagan Foundation – Great American Leadership Program
Residential leadership program studying presidential leadership through workshops, crisis simulations, and Reagan Library access.
APA TOPSS Competition for HS Psychology Students
Students create a short video applying psychological science to a real-world topic (2026 theme: AI in learning), citing research, for national recognition and scholarships.
Bennington College Young Writers Awards
Students submit poetry, fiction, or nonfiction for national judging; winners earn cash prizes and scholarship eligibility, including a possible full-tuition Bennington scholarship.
California Department of Education Superintendent's Youth Advisory Council
A statewide council through which California public high school students (grades 9-12) advise the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and CDE staff on education policy affecting students, families, and schools; selected members receive a $500 stipend upon successful completion of the roughly four-month program.