Essay Guidelines & Judging Criteria

Selection Process - Judging Criteria

Knowledge of Subject (30 Points)

  • Student must show a thorough knowledge of the veteran being researched.
  • Student can demonstrate extensive research by going further than what may be written online, such as conducting an interview with the veteran, their co-workers, or family members.
  • Be creative and think beyond the individual to what has been sacrificed by the veteran and their family so that someone else could succeed. Discovering this through your research would bring much depth to your essay.

Content and Development (35 Points)

  • Clearly express facts (who, what, when, where, & why) in an organized manner.
  • Fully develop your material and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the next.
  • Relate the facts to indicate how the sacrifice has benefited the world beyond the individual's life. Such as a sacrifice made has allowed someone who was saved to move forward in life to create a business that helps soldiers in the field today.

Clarity of Ideas (35 Points)

  • Write your essay in an easy to understand format.
  • Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation.
  • Leave your reader feeling like they are indebted to those who have gone before us to pay for our liberties we enjoy today.

AI Usage Policy

If you choose to use AI, you must indicate which platform is used and to what extent. The student who uses the least amount of AI will have a higher score value to their paper.

Deadline & Submission

Essay Deadline

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Submit by midnight
How to Submit

Submit through our

Online Application Form
It is your responsibility to meet this deadline by submitting your complete application with essay through our online form.

Essay Requirements & Rules

Format Requirements

  • Typed in English
  • Research-based MLA format
  • Source page included (not counted in page limit)
  • 4-5 pages (excluding source page)
  • Helvetica Neue font
  • Size 14 font
  • Double spaced
  • 1 inch margins

Research Options

  • Outside research sites
  • Interviews with the veteran
  • Interviews with family members
  • Creative research approaches
Important Rules
  • The essay must be the contestant's original work and a product of the contestant's own thinking.
  • Inappropriate use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed.
  • The approach to the Price of Freedom should be positive and clearly focused.
  • Submit your complete application with essay by Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • The contestant will be judged on the basis of their essay alone for the first level.

Selection Process

First Level

Judged based on essay alone using the criteria above.

Second Level

Oral presentation judged on ability to present material clearly and professionally. Rubric will be provided to selected candidates.