2025 International HS Essay Contest

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

is pleased to announce its annual

International High School Essay Contest

As an element of the Annual International Achievement Week Observance, we invite high school seniors to participate in our annual High School Essay Scholarship contest.

Four International College Scholarship Awards:

International: 1st Place: $5,000; 2ⁿᵈ Place: $3,000; 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place: $1,000

Three Charlotte (Pi Phi Chapter) Scholarship Awards

1st Place $700; 2ⁿᵈ Place $400; 3rd Place $200

Essay due to Pi Phi Chapter: October 31, 2025

2025 Essay Topic

"In a World Powered by Artificial Intelligence, What Does it Mean to Lead with Integrity and Purpose?"

Eligibility Rules: The Contest is open to all college-bound, high school seniors who submit an essay application through a Chapter of the Fraternity. The essay must be original and neither previously published nor secured by copyright. The essay must be between 700 and 750 words in length. The type-written, double-spaced essay may be submitted via postal service or email in Microsoft Word. Use of assistance software and/or technology (i.e. Al) in creating this original work is strictly prohibited. The Committee will be using software to detect the usage of Artificial Intelligence to assist with the essay. If the content is found to be above a 40% threshold the essay will be disqualified.

The following information for the contestant must be presented on the title page in this manner:
Title:

An Essay By:

Home Street Address:

City, State, Zip Code

Name of High School:

Address of High School:

Student Email:

Name of Sponsoring Chapter: Pi Phi

Location of Chapter: Charlotte, NC

Rating Criteria: All local Chapters will assemble a review panel to assess submitted essays based on the following:

Essays may earn a maximum rating of 100 points.

1. Development of Topic/Thesis: (30 possible points)

Topic is well-developed (covers and develops major points, supplying enough information for understanding)

2. Progression: (20 possible points) Composition progresses from beginning to end in a logical flow of information

3. Readability: (25 possible points) Concise language that sticks to the point in a coherent writing style (holds reader's attention)

4. Grammar: (15 possible points) Agreement of subject and verb; proper tense; correct sentence structure with transitional phrases, and accurate paragraphing and citations.

5. Spelling: (5 possible points)

6. Punctuation: (5 possible points)

Additional Information: By completing the included Essay Release Form, any persons submitting manuscripts thereby grant to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. the right to keep the manuscripts and to exercise full publishing rights to them.

International Awards will be announced on or about July 1, 2026, and the decision of the judges will be final. Winners may be required to furnish written proof that they were enrolled in their respective high school at the time the essay was submitted. Awards will be released to each winner, upon written verification from an institution of highereducation that the individual has enrolled in. International Awards must be claimed within 18 months after the date of announcement.

Pi Phi Chapter Local Awards will be awarded before January 1, 2026. All Awards will not be processed without completion of the Media Release form. The Fraternity will publish winners, images on the International Website and social media Pages.

Submission Process:

All submissions will be reviewed by Pi Phi Chapter (determined by your high school/home address Submissions will not be accepted after October 31, 2025. Please submit your essay via the file attachment option below.

Please ensure you get confirmation your essay was received.

The essay/manuscript must be postmarked, or time stamped with a submission date no later than midnight, October 31, 2025. You may also mail your application to Pi Phi Chapter, PO Box 16308 Charlotte, NC 28279. (Not Preferred)

Essays are NOT to be sent to the Fraternity's headquarters. Any essay sent to the Fraternity's headquarters directly will be deemed ineligible.
Submit Your Essay File Here

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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc - Essay Release Form

I, the undersigned, as Parent or Guardian of(insert full name of essay applicant), declare that the Essay/Manuscript authored and submitted by him(her) to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for purposes of consideration in its International High School Essay Contest is an original work. I hereby grant to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity a non-exclusive right to publish said work for distribution to members and the public for the purposes of advertising or publicizing the contest and any winners. Distribution may include and not be limited to print, oral or web based, internet distribution.

I, further acknowledge that I have been appraised of the Fraternity's policy relating to its use of the Essays of participants at the time of application to the Essay Contest. The Essay Application document states:

Persons submitting manuscripts hereby grant to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. a non-exclusive right to keep essay manuscripts and to publish them for the purpose of advertising and publicizing the Essay Contest to members and the general public.

I hereby grant to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. an irrevocable, worldwide license to use, reproduce, distribute, or modify the article in its entirety or portions thereof. I also declare that if any parts of my child's submission are copyrighted, permission has been sought and received by us, or appropriate attribution has been made. I further agree that the name, likeness, and biographical material, including affiliations of the author, may be used in connection with, and promotion of, the essay/manuscript and/or the Essay Contest itself.
Parent or Guardian Name:

First NameLast Name
Telephone:
Address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Email:
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Name:

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Signature:

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Date Signed:

MonthDayYear
Essay/Manuscript Author Name:

First NameLast Name
Author Signature:

Clear
Date Signed:

MonthDayYear

Media Release and Consent Form
Student's name:

First NameLast Name
Age:
Physical address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Email address:
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian's name:

First NameLast Name
Phone Number (home):
Phone Number (cell):
Media Release and Consent
I hereby grant Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Pi Phi Chapter permission to use my likeness in photographs, video recordings or electronic images in any and all of its publications, including website entries, without payment or any other consideration. I understand and agree that these materials will become the property of the Organization and will not be returned. I hereby irrevocably authorize the Organization to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute these images for purposes of publicizing the organization's programs or for any other lawful purpose. In addition, I waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written or electronic copy, wherein my likeness appears.

Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of my image. I hereby hold harmless and release and forever discharge the Organization from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.
I am 18 years of age and am competent to contract in my own name, or if I am under age 18, a parent or guardian has signed below. I have read this release before signing below and I fully understand the contents, meaning and impact of this release.
Printed Name:

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Signature:

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Date Signed:

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If the person signing is under age 18, we would ask that that person sign but there must also be the signed consent by a parent or guardian, below:

I hereby certify that I am the parent or guardian of, named above, and do hereby give my consent without reservation to the foregoing release on behalf of this person.
Parent/Guardian's Name:

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian's Signature:

Clear
Date signed:

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Date
Should be Empty:

Media Release and Consent

I am 18 years of age and am competent to contract in my own name, or if I am under age 18, a parent or guardian has signed below. I have read this release before signing below and I fully understand the contents, meaning and impact of this release.