The American Center for Political Leadership (ACPL) at Southeastern University is hosting its third annual essay contest centered around civil discourse and civic engagement. High school students can win up to $1,500 in scholarship prize money with a winning essay for the ACPL’s Civic Initiative Essay Contest.

Open to high school students who reside in Polk County, the essay contest revolves around promoting civil discourse, civic engagement and civic renewal. Ten finalists will be selected to advance to the second round of judging, where the top ten essays will be reviewed by a panel of five judges, in order to narrow it down to the top three. On April 28, 2023, three winners will be announced. The scholarship award for first place is $1,500, second place is $1,000 and third place is $500. The contest will be judged by college professors and community leaders.