Monday, July 07, 2025
Your Voice Matters: Inspire the Next City Club Essay Prompt
Did you know that the City Club hosts an annual essay contest for high school students with the chance to win scholarship money?
Since 2013, the Hope and Stanley Adelstein Free Speech Essay Contest has invited students to explore and reflect on the importance of the First Amendment in their lives. The contest was established as part of The City Club’s Centennial celebration by Hope and Stanley Adelstein, longtime members, philanthropists, and civic leaders. Stanley joined The City Club in 1941 and remained active until his passing in 2014. Hope was a dedicated advocate for civic engagement until her death in 2016.
Each year, the contest prompt explores a timely issue related to free speech that directly impacts students. Past topics include:
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2025: Student protests and the balance between free speech and institutional authority
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2024: Artificial intelligence’s impact on freedom of speech
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2023: Gun control and its implications on free speech
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2022: Legislation affecting the teaching of Critical Race Theory and its relation to free expression
This year, we want to hear from you!
We’re inviting students, teachers, past contest participants, and civically engaged individuals to submit prompt ideas for the upcoming contest. This is your opportunity to help shape the conversation around free speech and uplift student voices.
Your proposed prompt must:
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Be related to the First Amendment, freedom of speech, or free expression
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Connect to a current issue that high school students are passionate about, talking about, or directly impacted by.
Maybe there’s a conversation happening in your school, or you’ve been thinking deeply about speech on digital platforms, protest culture, or book bans. If so…
Submit your idea here!
