FRA sponsors an annual essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. FRA's Americanism Essay Contest is open to all students, grades 7 through 12, including those who are home schooled. Students are invited to submit a 350-word essay through an FRA member or local FRA branch before the December 1st deadline. Local winners are forwarded for competition at the regional level and regional winners compete for national prizes. The grand national winner receives $1,500. Other winners receive $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. Each national winner will receive an attractive plaque citing his/her achievement, and every entrant judged at the national level receives a certificate of recognition. Prizes may be awarded to students winning at local and regional levels of competition.
Find a Sponsor: Find the branch closest to you in the drop down list and click "select" to see the address. This is where you will send your completed essay and cover sheet.
Download the flyer 2025-2026 from the link below (you can fill out the contact information on your computer before you print it!) and post it proudly wherever appropriate--high schools, on-base education offices, commissaries, exchanges, on-base community centers, etc.--to get the word out (you may need permission to post in some locations).
Essay Contest Poster 2025-2026 Essay Cover Sheet 2025-2026 Essay Rules 2025-2026 Congratulations to the 2024–2025 FRA Americanism Essay Contest Winners!
OVERALL WINNER: Elizabeth Mayela Mercado, Branch 293, East Coast Region 2024-2025 Overall Winner
Grade 7 Winners 1st place: Sophia Ortega; Branch 101, West Coast Region 7th_Grade_1st_Sophia Ortega 2nd place: Sanvi Mokasi Branch 089, Southeast Region 3rd place: Charlotte G Doering; Branch 070, Southwest Region
Grade 8 Winners 1st Place: Samdeesh Thukral Branch 089, Southeast Region 8th_Grade_1st_Samdeesh Thukral 2nd Place: SaanviSri Karnakanti Branch 017, North Cenral Region 3rd Place: Tyler Keith Nixon Branch 115, Northeast New England Region Grade 9 Winners 1st Place: Evelin Quinonez Branch 197, West Coastl Region 9th_Grade_1st_Evelin Quinonez 2nd Place: Genevieve K. Miranda Branch 070, Southwest Region 3rd Place: Natalia Torres Branch 181, East Coast Region Grade 10 Winners 1st Place: AElizabeth Mayela Mercado Branch 293, East Cost Region 10th_Grade_1st_Elizabeth Mayela Mercado 2nd Place: Johnny Vattuone Branch 070, Southwest Region 3rd Place: Allin Murphy Branch 307, South Central Region Grade 11 Winners 1st Place: Conner Stevens Branch 101, West Coast Region 11th_Grade_1st_Alexander B. Zhang 2nd Place: Kylie Anderson Branch 238, North Central Region 3rd Place: Asa Scott Branch 184, Southeast Region
Grade 12 Winners 1st Place: Samuel Bonsall Branch 029, Northwest Region 12th_Grade_1st_Samuel Bonsall 2nd Place: Emily Hite Branch 161, North Central Region 3rd Place: Isabella Philip Branch 087, Northeast New England Region