Every year since 2013, The Hope and Stanley Adelstein Free Speech Essay Contest challenges high school students to examine the role of free speech in the 21st century. The essay contest was established by Hope and Stanley as part of the City Club’s Centennial celebration. The Adelsteins were longtime City Club members, philanthropists, and environmental activists. Stanley joined the City Club in 1941 and remained an active member until his death in 2014. Hope’s hallmark was civic involvement, and she was active in the Cleveland community until her death in 2016.
All high school students in Northeastern Ohio are eligible to apply for scholarship prizes. Essays should pull from personal experience, current events, history, politics, art, anything really so long as they are backed up with evidence. Essays will be judged on their clarity, content, originality, and significance.
This year's topic can be found here. Essay submission will go live on January 22, 2018 and all essays are due March 12, 2018.
View last year's winners here: Grade 11/12 Grade 9/10
Vinay Bodapoti, 2017 Grade 11/12 Free Speech Essay Contest Winner
Sponsor free speech
Find out why companies that partner with the City Club love to be at the center of important community conversations.
Upcoming forums
We create conversations of consequence to help democracy thrive. Here's who is speaking next at the City Club. Be challenged. Learn something new. Join us.
Host your event at the City Club
Our catering team can host your lunch or dinner event, community conversation, or even your wedding or cocktail reception.
1 of 22