The contest, named for George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest, is open to students in their Freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year of study in public, parochial, private and home study schools.
The essay must be about a person, event, or idea connected to the American Revolution or the making of the Constitution, and must be written in English.
The contest is conducted in three phases: local (Chapter), state (Georgia Society) and national (National Society).
The National Society, SAR, establishes the general contest rules and other details. Therefore, all Georgia Society chapter chairmen and interested students should visit the SAR national web site for contest rules and guidelines.
Student Entry:
The contest begins at the chapter level. Students must enter the contest through the nearest SAR chapter. If the nearest chapter is not known, refer to the chapter map on this site or contact the Georgia Society Knight Essay Chairman Compatriot Terry Gibbs by clicking here, phone: 404-281-3098. The student deadline date for entry into the essay contest is December 1. The winner of a chapter contest is automatically entered into the state level of competition. Email entry is preferred. Postal entry must be postmarked no later than 1 December.
Chapter Entry:
The second level of competition is at the state, or Georgia Society level. Essays from chapters are submitted to the Georgia Society Knight Essay Chairman for entry into this competition. Entries must be received from chapters no later than December 15. Email is preferred. Judging is accomplished by select individuals who are required to report their results to the chairman by December 31. From the results of the judges the Georgia Society Knight Essay Chairman declares the winning essay.
The final level of competition is at the National Society. The Georgia Society winning essay is submitted by the state chairmen to the national chairman for entry. The national winners will be announced in April of each year, and the national society award will presented to the winner at the Annual Congress in July.
Awards:
Chapters may offer awards at their discretion. Most chapters offer a cash award.
The Georgia Society awards a $550.00 cash award to the first place winner; $400.00 to the runner up or second place winner.
The National Society award may be viewed on their web site www.sar.org. At the present time First Place is awarded $5,000, Second Place $2,500; Third Place, $1,000.
For additional information regarding the Knight Essay Contest contact the current Georgia Society Knight Essay Chairman Terry Gibbs at terrygibbs237@gmail.com.