This spring marked a remarkable milestone as the Kiwanis Club of Kent hosted its 53rd Annual Middle School Essay Contest, a beloved tradition that has grown into a powerful platform for student expression, public speaking, and community connection.
Established over five decades ago, the essay contest was launched to partner with Kent School District schools and celebrate academic achievement among students. What began as a small writing initiative has grown to include grades six through eight and has expanded in recent years to embrace students learning English as a second language, offering them additional time and support to participate and shine.
The essay topics are curated each year by the Kent-Meridian Key Club, a high school branch of Kiwanis. These teens suggest 20–30 timely and thoughtful prompts, and the Kiwanis members select four that will resonate with younger students. This year’s topics included:
A historical figure you admire and why
Share a story that made you a better student
Why is kindness important?
Will AI be beneficial or harmful to humankind?
With topics that challenge students to reflect, imagine, and advocate, the contest encourages essential skills like critical thinking, communication, empathy, and public speaking.
This year’s contest saw an impressive 153 entries from middle school students across the district. Once submitted, all essays were reviewed through a blind judging process—ensuring a fair evaluation based on clearly defined criteria. One of the unique aspects of this process is the involvement of a high school honors class, which helps evaluate submissions. This not only teaches students how to critically assess writing but also fosters a sense of mentorship and shared learning.
Winning essays were announced at a special luncheon hosted in partnership with Cogir of Kent, where students presented their essays aloud to an audience of family, teachers, and prominent community leaders—including the mayor of Covington, police chiefs, and district officials.
This year's celebration also featured remarks from Cynthia Green, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning at Kent School District, reinforcing the district’s commitment to literacy and student voice. Events like this align strongly with the district’s OneKSD = OneCommunity philosophy—an ongoing initiative to elevate and empower every learner through community collaboration.
The essay contest is one of many ways the Kiwanis Club of Kent supports youth development throughout the community. From sponsoring Key Clubs in area high schools to volunteering in early learning classrooms and hosting literacy programs like Read Around the World, the club provides mentorship, leadership opportunities, and educational support at every stage.
“It takes a village to raise our kids,” Kiwanis Essay Chair Ann Sappington said. “Parents are doing so much, but our students also need a network of mentors and role models to help them grow. That’s where service organizations like Kiwanis step in.”
For students who may feel nervous about submitting an essay, Sappington’s message is simple: “Be brave. Your voice matters.” Whether they win or not, every student who participates walks away with valuable skills, confidence, and the knowledge that their story is worth telling.