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 2025 JFK Hyannis Museum Essay Contest
Check back for details of the 2025 JFK Hyannis Museum Foundation’s essay contest.
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.
Submission Guidelines:
- An introduction that outlines the main ideas of your essay, including your personal interpretation of President Kennedy’s quote.
- A description of your own civic engagement experiences and how those efforts relate to trying to make a difference in your community, state, and/or country.
- Explain how these experiences will shape your future.
- 300-500 words in length.
- Transmit by email the following information:
- Student name
- Home address
- Cell phone number
- Email address
- College acceptance letter copy or letter of intent for a certificate program
- Copy of your most recent transcript including semester and cumulative GPA
- Or attach a copy of your school’s scholarship application
Award:
- The winner will be asked to read their essay to the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum.
- All contestants agree to allow the museum to publish their essays, names and graduating high school on the museum website.
- Scholarship will be paid to the student directly upon proof of acceptance to a four-year college or accredited institution of higher education.
- The deadline to apply is in March, by sending an attachment containing the essay to wendy@jfkhyannismuseum.org. The museum foundation board will vote on essay recommendations at the board meeting held in May (typically the third week of the month).
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.