Student Essay Contest

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is pleased to announce its thirteenth annual Student Essay Contest.

The April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City occurred because people chose violence as a means to express disagreement and effect change – and 168 innocent people were killed. The 2013 Student Essay Contest uses a political cartoon and text passages to highlight the importance of remembrance and respect for diversity in making the world a better place.

In grades 5 through 8, students will read a passage about The Fence at the Memorial, and respond by sharing their thoughts about why memorials are important for hope and healing, and what motivates people to leave items at memorials. Watch the video below to learn about a special item left at The Fence.

In grades 9 through 12, students will read a passage by Samuel Huntington about national identity and analyze a political cartoon by Rob Rogers exhibited in the Museum and respond by sharing their thoughts about diversity and what they would recommend we do to achieve an atmosphere of respect and unity in the United States.

Initiated in 2002, the annual Essay Contest has become a cornerstone of the Memorial's educational programs. In 2005, the Essay Contest expanded from a state contest to a national one, allowing more students to use this contest as a vehicle for sharing their rich perspective and engaging in the lessons of the Memorial.

Students in grades 5-12 may participate and are eligible to win cash prizes. Winning essays will be available online at OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org.

More than 700 entries from students in 32 states participated in the Memorial's 2012 Student Essay Contest. Ten of the 12 winners were from Oklahoma; one winner was from Texas and one from Michigan.

We are grateful to Allegiance Credit Union for sponsoring this contest, and proud of our continued partnership. The Federal Employees Credit Union, which changed its name to Allegiance Credit Union in 2003, was located on the third floor of the Murrah Building and lost 18 of its 33 employees in the bombing. Six of the surviving employees were seriously injured. With the assistance of other credit unions and volunteers, they were able to reopen within 48 hours at a temporary site furnished by Tinker Federal Credit Union. “The legacy of FECU, the restoration and continued growth as Allegiance Credit Union makes members and employees alike proud to be credit union people,” said Lynette Leonard, Allegiance Credit Union President/CEO.