HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST

PSI MU NU Chapter
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

is pleased to announce its annual

High School Scholarship Contest
As an element of our Annual Community Engagement Programs, we invite high school seniors to participate in our annual High School Essay Scholarship contest.

Multiple College Scholarship Awards:

$1,000 Each Scholarship Award

Essays due to local Chapter: March 31, 2026

2026 Essay Topic:

"In a World Powered by Artificial Intelligence, What Does
it Mean to Lead with Integrity and Purpose
Eligibility & Submission Rules

The essay contest is open to all college-bound high school seniors who submit a completed essay application to the Psi Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

All essays must meet the following requirements:

The essay must be the student’s original work and may not be previously published, copyrighted, or submitted to any other competition.
Essays must be between 700 and 750 words in length.
Essays must be typewritten and double-spaced.
Submissions must be uploaded with this electronic form.

The use of assistance software, generative tools, or Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any form is strictly prohibited in the creation of the essay.
The Contest Committee will utilize AI-detection software to evaluate all submissions.
Any essay found to contain more than 40% AI-generated or AI-assisted content will be automatically disqualified.
By submitting an essay, participants affirm that their work is entirely their own and that it complies with all contest rules and academic integrity standards established by the Psi Mu Nu Chapter.
The following information for the contestant must be present on the title page in this manner:

Title:
An Essay By:
Home Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Name of High School:
Address of High School:
Student Email:
Contest Name: Psi Mu Nu Chapter Annual High School Scholarship Essay Contest
Name of Sponsoring Chapter: Psi Mu Nu Location of Chapter: Middleburg, FL

Rating Criteria: Psi Mu Nu Chapter will assemble a review panel to assess submitted essays based on the following criteria. 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 required Essay Release Form, all individuals submitting essays grant Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. the right to retain their manuscripts and to exercise full publishing and usage rights.

Awards will be announced on or about July 1, 2026, and all decisions of the judges are final. Winners may be required to provide written proof that they were enrolled in their respective high school at the time their essay was submitted.

Award funds will be released to each winner only after written verification is received from an institution of higher education confirming the student’s enrollment. A current college class schedule may be required as proof of active enrollment.

All awards must be claimed within 18 months of the announcement date to remain valid. Awards will not be processed without the completion of the required Media Release Form.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. reserves the right to publish the names, images, and related content of winners on its International Website and official social media platforms.
Submission Process: All submissions will be reviewed by Psi Mu Nu Chapter. Submissions will not be accepted after March 31, 2026.
Applicant's Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant's Email*
example@example.com
File Upload*

Essay Upload Here
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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc – Essay Release Form
I declare that the Essay/Manuscript authored and submitted by applicant to the Psi Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for purposes of consideration in its Annual High School Scholarship Contest is an original work. I hereby grant to Psi Mu Nu Chapter and 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 apprised of the Fraternity’s policy relating to its use of the Essays of participants at the time of application to the Scholarship Contest. The Scholarship 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 Scholarship Contest to members and the general public.

I hereby grant to the Psi Mu Nu Chapter and 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 Scholarship Contest itself.
Parent or Guardian Name:*
Telephone:*
Address:*

Street Address

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CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Parent E-mail:*
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Parent/Guardian Signature:*

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Applicant's Name:*
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Media Release and Consent Form
Applicant's name:*
Age:*
Applicant's Email address:*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian's name:*
Parent Phone:*
I hereby grant Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Psi Mu Nu Chapter ("the Organization") 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.
Applicant's Signature*

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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:
Parent/Guardian's Signature

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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc – Essay Release Form

Media Release and Consent Form