Each year, graduating seniors of public, private high schools, and home school are allowed to submit essays reflecting an awareness of Texas history and exploring its relevance to the building of Texas.
Topics are announced each August, or sooner. Each public and private high school in the State of Texas receives an announcement of the subject.
The next deadline is January 31, 2008. The topic will be "Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas". Click here for information on entering.
| TOPICS AND WINNERS OF THE TEXAS HISTORY ESSAY CONTEST 1997-Present |
| 2006 | "Sam Houston - The Key To Texas Independence" |
| 2005 | "The Role of theAlamo in the History of Texas" - Ms. Ashlee Norton, J. J. Pearce School, Richardson, $3,000
- Joseph Alexander Giufree, Home Schooled, Our Lady of Victory School, $2,000
- Joshua Allen Oglesbee, San Augustine High School, San Augustine, $1,000
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| 2004 | "The Battle of San Jacinto" - Ms. Paula Stang, Lutheran South Academy, Houston, $3,000
- Blake A. Hartung, Grace Community High School, Tyler, $2,000
- Stephen Fusselman, Sacred Heart Home School, Melissa, $1,000
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| 2003 | "The Goliad Massacre" - William Wood Speer IV, Bellaire Sr HS, Bellaire, $3,000
- Ms. Kristah Miller, Concordia Luthern HS, Tomball, $2,000
- Ms. Teresa Fritts, Cypress Falls HS, Houston, $1,000
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| 2002 | "Education In Early Texas" - Hari Prabhakar, St. Mark’s School of Texas, Dallas, $3000 scholarship
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| 2001 | "Religion In Early Texas" - Matthew Dean Pollard, Houston Christian High School, $3000 scholarship
- Amy Kristine Lacarde, Hamshire Fannett High School, $2000 scholarship
- Carin Glaser, Watchung Hills High School, New Jersey, $1000 scholarship
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| 2000 | "Establishing the Boundaries of Texas" - Jodie E. Dickens, Thorndale High School, $3000 scholarship
- Joaquin Rene Davis, Comfort High School, $2000 scholarship
- Shelly Kitain, West Bloomfield High School, Michigan, $1000 scholarship
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| 1999 | "Filibustering in Texas (1800-1821)" - James R. Jordan, Jr, Humble High School, $3000 scholarship
- Kendell Kirby, Hempstead High School, $2000 scholarship
- Jody Mitchell, San Augustine High School, $1000 scholarship
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| 1998 | "The Regulator-Moderator Conflict (1839-1844)" - Stuart Carter, Midway, $3000 scholarship
- Michael Humphreys, of Houston, $2000 scholarship
- Walt Dannenberg, of Denison, $1000 scholarship
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| 1997 | "La Salle and French Exploration of Texas" - Alana Clark, Katy, $3000 scholarship
- Sara Kellery, San Antonio, $2000 scholarship
- Kerri Zimmerman, Southlake, $1000 scholarship
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Texas History Essay Contest