Fort Bend County Historical Commission

Annual Essay Contest

Prizes awarded [for each grade]:
1st place: $250
2nd place: $150

Entries due: October 31, 2025

Prizes provided by Friends of the FBCHC

Contest Rules:

  1. The contest is open to all 4th and 7th grade students that live or attend school in Fort Bend County.

  2. Essays should be created using 12 point type in Times New Roman font.

  3. Essays should be submitted in pdf format via email to: HistoricalCommission@fortbendcountytx.gov

  4. Essays must be received by 5:00 pm on October 31, 2025

  5. 4th Grade Essays should be between 500 – 750 words (2-3 pages)

  6. 7th Grade Essays should be between 750 – 1000 words (3-4 pages)

  7. All essays must contain a bibliography with at least 4 references, at least 2 of which are primary. The bibliography is not part of the word count.

  8. All essays must contain a title page with the name of the student, the title of the essay, and the name of the school, or home address if homeschooled. Please also include the name and contact information (email or telephone number) for a parent or guardian. The title page is not part of the word count.

  9. Essays may also contain one page of images, photographs, or original art related to the research topic, including image citations or descriptions.


4th Grade Essay Contest

7th Grade Essay Contest

2025 Essay Contest Rules & Resources [PDF]