Voice of Faith
Essay Contest

Application is closed.

The Voice of Faith

The Voice of Faith Program is an opportunity for American high schoolers to engage in a conversation that is as old as humanity itself, a chance for America's future leaders to give a voice to their convictions and beliefs, a Voice to their Faith, by participating in a national essay competition addressing the most pressing issues of our time. The questions for the 2024 competition are published below. Applicants are to select one of the five questions below to address in their essay. To apply please click on the "Apply Now" button below. Applications are due by April 30, 2024 at 23:59 CST. For more information, please click here.

1. What does public service mean to you and is it a Biblical mandate?

2 .In his letter to the Danbury Baptists, what did Thomas Jefferson mean by a 'wall of separation' between church and state, and how would Jesus respond to him?

3. 'The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom' (Isaac Asimov, 1988). What is wisdom, and why is there a tendency for science to take precedence over it?

4. Is there an impact from culture on religious dogma? If so, is it desirable?

5. Are faith and reason essential to one another?

More Information

Eligibility

The Voice of Faith is open to United States Coptic students in grades 9-12 by the April 30th deadline. Participants must:

Be enrolled in a public or private high school or home study program in the United States or its territories; and
Be U.S. Citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States.

Formating

All essay submissions must adhere to a Chicago Style Format. Details for the Chicago Style Format can be found on the Purdue Owl (sample papers included) and the Chicago Manual of Style Online. Additionally, candidates' essays are subject to the following requirements:

Citations: Required—follow Chicago Style Citations Format (footnotes and bibliography)
Title: Required
Font Type: Times New Roman
Font Size: 12
Essay Length: 750-1,500 words—excluding title and citations
Cover Page: Required—candidates must include their selected question at the top, center of the Cover Page and place their chosen title at the middle, center of the Cover Page
Candidate's Name: Omitted—candidates are to refrain from placing their name, or any identifying information, on any part of the essay document
File Type: PDF

Assessment

The Voice of Faith National Selection Committee is charged with assessing all essays for the 2024 cycle. Candidates' essays are subject to the following 125-point selection criteria:

Content and Understanding (20 points):
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of the chosen question.
- Presents a well-developed thesis or main argument.
- Provides insightful analysis and interpretation of relevant concepts.
Clarity of Expression (20 points):
- Writing is clear, concise, and organized.
- Ideas are logically presented, and the essay flows smoothly.
- Effective use of language to convey complex concepts.
Critical Thinking (20 points):
- Demonstrates a high level of critical thinking and intellectual engagement.
- Engages with different perspectives and considers counterarguments.
- Constructs a coherent and persuasive argument.
Integration of Sources (20 points):
- Appropriately integrates relevant sources to support arguments.
- Properly cites sources using a recognized citation style (Chicago).
- Demonstrates the ability to synthesize information from various sources.
Creativity and Originality (20 points):
- Presents unique insights or perspectives on the chosen question.
- Demonstrates creativity in approaching the topic.
- Offers original ideas or solutions to the issues discussed.
Additional Notes (25 points):
- Relevance to Chosen Question (5 points):
  - The essay should directly address the selected question and avoid
    unnecessary tangents.
- Depth of Analysis (5 points):
  - The essay should delve deeply into the chosen topic, providing thorough analysis and consideration of relevant factors.
- Ethical Considerations (5 points):
  - Consideration of ethical implications related to the topic, displaying awareness of potential biases and respecting diverse perspectives.
- Mechanics and Conventions (5 points):
  - Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling are essential.
  - The essay should adhere to the specified word count (750-1,500 words).
- Engagement with Different Dimensions (5 points):
  - Recognizing and exploring the social, cultural, political, and religious dimensions relevant to the chosen question.

Award

First place will be awarded $1,000, second place will be awarded $750, and third place will be awarded $500. The award will be presented to the winner at his or her home church during a short ceremony in coordination with the home church's priest.

Submission

In order to participate in the Voice of Faith Essay Contest, students must submit their completed essay to this portal.

Students must provide their full name, email address, mailing address, title of essay, as well as the name and address of the Church they are currently attending. Students must also accept the policy, terms, and conditions of the Voice of Faith program including acknowledgement of plagiarism rules, U.S. citizenship or permanent resident confirmation, and signed intent to participate. Additionally, students must provide the name, email, and phone number of their Church's priest.

Material misrepresentation will result in disqualification of an application or, where appropriate, the rescinding of an award. The N.C.C. reserves all rights to disqualify any application or rescind an award of any winner that did not follow the policies of the Voice of Faith Essay Contest. Participants should anticipate that their work will be checked for plagiarism and inaccuracies. Students may begin submitting essays on February 1, 2024. All entries must be submitted to the online portal on the N.C.C. website by 23:59 CT on April 30, 2024. If you need assistance, please email us at info@nationalcopticcharity.org.