Sumner County HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS are invited to participate in our annual Essay Contest. Applications are welcome from students in public, private or home schools.
One winning essay will be awarded $1,000. All referring teachers will be entered into a lottery to receive $500 towards classroom supplies/resources.
Essay Prompt & Parameters
Essays should capture the student’s observations on the essay prompt:
“Bridging the Past: Uncovering Hidden Connections in Sumner County’s Historic Landscape”
Sumner County is home to a rich tapestry of historic sites, structures, and homes—each with its own unique story. But what happens when we look beyond each site as an isolated landmark and begin to trace the threads that connect them?
For this essay, choose two or more historic resources in Sumner County (they may be homes, churches, schools, battle sites, cemeteries, objects, etcetera) and explore an unexpected or compelling connection between them. This connection might be based on shared historical figures, time periods, architectural styles, cultural influences, or even events that shaped their development. This essay will require you to think critically about historical relationships, significance, and patterns.
Possible Guiding Questions:
- How do these connected stories help us better understand the broader history of Sumner County?
- Do the sites share a common founder, builder, or resident?
- Are they linked by a major historical event (e.g., Civil War, Trail of Tears, early settlement)?
- Do they reflect evolving cultural, religious, or economic changes in the county?
- How does the physical or architectural design of each reflect shared influences?
Essays must be titled, up to 750 words, typed and double spaced. Essays exceeding the word limit will be automatically disqualified.
A Note About AI-Generated Essays
We want to hear your ideas and writing. While AI tools can be useful for learning, essays created or rewritten by AI will be disqualified. This contest celebrates original thinking and your authentic voice, so make it your own!
Contest Rules
- Only one entry per student is allowed.
- Essays must be received by the Preservation Foundation of Sumner County by 11:59 PM, November 21, 2025. No late entries will be accepted.
- Students must be enrolled in a Sumner County public, private or home school association.
- The essay must be the original work of the student.
- Failure to comply with the contest rules will result in disqualification.
Judging & Prizes
One high school senior will be selected as decided by a panel of judges (business and nonprofit leaders in Sumner County). Judges may also choose to award Honorable Mention(s) though these will not include a financial award. Names and school affiliation will not be revealed to the judges during the process. Essays will be judged based on content, originality, and creativity. Results will be announced by Friday, December 12, 2025.
Submit
To submit your essay, compose an email with the following information:
- Student’s Name
- Student’s Email
- Expected Graduation Date
- School
- Essay Title
- Referring Teacher and Teacher Email, where appropriate
Send this information and your attached essay to: essay@sumnerpreservation.org.
If you have any questions, please contact us at this email or call (615) 572-7282. You will receive a confirmation upon receipt. Note: Please call if you don’t receive a confirmation to ensure your essay is received.