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.
The results for this year can be view here.
View the 1st place winners submissions here: Grade 11/12 Grade 9/10
Vinay Bodapoti, 2017 Grade 11/12 Free Speech Essay Contest Winner
Want to know what is on our minds?
Find blog posts written here, by the City Club staff, members, and partners.
Support free speech
Join the City Club's Spring Giving Campaign to make civil, civic dialogue accessible to our community throughout the year.
Student engagement
Since its creation 30 years ago, over 30,000 students have participated at the City Club. Discover the different ways that students can get involved, here.
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