2026 Evelyn D. Wilkey National Youth Essay Contest

The Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. is pleased to invite middle and high school students in Metro Atlanta to participate in the Evelyn D. Wilkey National Youth Essay Contest as part of our American Education Week Observance.

This year's essay theme is:

"Creating Our Future: The Role of Entrepreneurship in Empowering the Next Generation"

Students are encouraged to thoughtfully explore the theme and submit an original essay that reflects their ideas, perspective, and voice.

Essay Requirements
• 500 words
• Typed and double-spaced
• Submitted in PDF format
• Original work, with credit given to any quoted sources
• Clear introduction, body, and conclusion
• Title page including the essay title, student's full name, school name, grade level, and picture
• AI tools may only be used for limited support, such as spelling, grammar, organization, or research assistance. AI may not generate the primary content of the essay.

Complete Submission Package
Your submission must include:

• Completed essay application
• Completed 500-word essay in PDF format
• Student picture
• Completed Declaration and Permission Statement
• Required signatures from the contestant and parent/guardian

Regional Deadline: November 1st, 2026 @11:59 PM

Please review all information carefully before submitting. Incomplete submissions may not be eligible for judging.

Local Awards:

1st Place Middle/High School $100.00
2nd Place Middle/High School $75.00
3rd Place Middle/High School $50.00

National Awards:

1st Place Middle/High School $500.00
2nd Place Middle/High School $250.00
3rd Place Middle/High School $100.00

Student's Full Name

Age

Email Address

example@example.com

Phone Number

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Metro Atlanta Eligibility Confirmation: I confirm that I am currently enrolled as a middle or high school student at a school located in the Metro Atlanta area.

School Name

Grade Level

Essay Title

Upload Your Completed Essay: Please upload your completed essay as a PDF. The essay must be 500 words, typed, double-spaced, and based on this year's contest theme. Please make sure your essay includes a title page.

I hereby declare that the writing of the attached essay reflects my own work, except where quoted materials are identified. I further affirm that the essay represents my original ideas and voice, and that any use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools was limited to support purposes (such as grammar, organization, or research assistance) and did not generate the primary content of the essay. I understand that essays found to be primarily generated by AI will be disqualified.

I give Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. permission to publish my essay in their publications or to use it in any other promotional manner desired. I also grant permission for my name, picture, and image to be used in connection with the publication or promotion of my essay.

IMPORTANT: The signatures below are required to confirm agreement to the Declaration and Permission Statement above. Please read the entire Declaration and Permission Statement before signing.

CONTESTANT SIGNATURE: By signing below, I confirm that I am signing the Declaration and Permission Statement above.

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: By signing below, I confirm that I am signing the Declaration and Permission Statement above and acknowledge the permissions provided therein.