In 1995, TWI sponsored its first ethics essay contest for high school students in one Phoenix area high school. The contest has continued to build annually since then. Currently, TWI receives more than 2,300 essays from high school junior and seniors in Arizona schools each year. Beginning with one school the first year, the contest has expanded to multiple schools with separate competitions conducted in each school.

Students respond to 4-5 questions on a different topic each year. Their essays are judged on the basis of their ability to take a position and defend it. Essays are evaluated by teams of five community leaders for each grade level at each school, resulting in the participation of more than 75 volunteers. Contest finalists are interviewed by members of their individual teams, and scholarships are presented at the individual schools' end-of-year awards ceremonies.

TWI has awarded more than $74,000 in scholarships as of Spring 2008. In addition, each year TWI awards the teachers of winning students with honoraria to assist them in purchasing ethics-related materials for their classrooms. In 2008, for the first time, the essay contest had a statewide winner. The winning senior essay at each participating school competes for the winning statewide scholarship. 

To read what teachers have said about the ethics essy contest, click here.

E-mail us for more information about the essay contest.