Every year, The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum Foundation invites high school seniors who are residents of Barnstable (Cape Cod), Nantucket or Dukes (Martha’s Vineyard) counties to participate in an essay competition every March and relate the personal meaning of one of President Kennedy’s quotes to the student’s own civic engagement experiences.
The 2026 JFK Hyannis Museum Essay Contest
Students are asked to write a short essay on the following quote used by President Kennedy several times during his presidency and submit it to the museum by March 13, 2026.
“As they say on my own Cape Cod, a rising tide lifts all the boats.”
– President John F. Kennedy
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be residents of Barnstable (Cape Cod), Nantucket or Dukes (Martha’s Vineyard) counties.
- Students must be enrolled in senior year of high school regardless of where the high school is located.
Submission Guidelines:
- An introduction that outlines the main ideas of your essay, including your personal interpretation of President Kennedy’s quote, how it relates to your life today, and how it might impact your view of the future or your life goals.
- A description of your own civic engagement experiences and how those relate to making a difference in your community, state, and/or country.
- Essay should be 150-300 words in length.
- Transmit by e-mail to wendy@jfkhyannismuseum.org the following:
- Student name
- Home address
- Cell phone number
- E-mail address
- College acceptance letter copies or letters of intent for a certificate program
- Copy of most recent transcript including semester and cumulative GPA
- Or attach a copy of school’s scholarship application
Award:
- The winner will be asked to read their essay to guests at a meeting of the board of directors of the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum.
- All awardees agree to allow the museum to publish their essays, names, and graduating high school on its website.
- Scholarship funds will be paid to the student directly upon proof of acceptance to a four-year college or accredited institution of higher education.
- The museum board of directors will vote on the essay committee recommendations no later than the third week in May and make the award as soon as practicable thereafter.
- The deadline to apply is March 13, 2026, by sending an attachment containing the essay and required documents to wendy@jfkhyannismuseum.org.
The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
Have Questions? Contact Wendy Northcross, Museum Director at wendy@jfkhyannismuseum.org or text 508-364-4557.