The Churchill Society of New Orleans sponsors a yearly essay contest for the purpose of encouraging young people to learn more about the great man, and thereby to absorb some of his wisdom, his courage, and his masterful use of the English language.
The winners of the 2025-26 Essay Contest are as follows:
For the first time in the history of our Essay Contest our judges were unable to decide which of two excellent entries should be selected for First Place, so they decided to award First Place to BOTH entries! (The judges caution that this should not be expected to be a regular occurrence.)
First Place ($1,500 each) and $500 to each of their teachers:
Connor Bussey, Jesuit High School / Teacher Mr. Trosclair
Peyton Champagne, St. Paul’s High School/ Teacher Kim Gardner
Second place: ($500)
William Alexis, Georgia Cyber Academy
Third Place (2-Way Tie): ($250 each)
Jackson Watkins, Northlake Christian Academy
Emelie Chitwood, St. Scholastica Academy
2026-2027 Essay Contest Information.
Prizes:
$1,500 First Prize *
$500 Second Prize
$250 Third Prize **
* The teacher named by the student who wins first prize will also receive a prize of $500
** If 5 or more students at a school submit essays and none win first, second or third prize, the best of those essays will receive a prize of $100
2026-2027 Essay Contest Rules
1. All students at any high-school level are eligible to participate.
2. The essay should address the Topic given above.
3. Essay should be between 500 and 1000 words, typed double spaced.
4. Essays will be judged on knowledge of Churchill, relevance to the Topic, and good use of the English language.
5. A student’s teacher and parents are encouraged to help with the research and to comment on essay drafts, but the student must produce the paper. We ask that the name of the teacher responsible for the student’s participation be provided on the Entry Form.
6. The essay must be your own original work and not the result of AI-generated content, as stated in the above Certification. Contestants are allowed to use AI tools for research purposes and to locate sources, but may not use AI to draft, generate or create the essay. The Society reserves the right to reject any essay that it determines, in its sole discretion, to be largely created or generated by AI.
7. Attaching a bibliography to your essay IS MANDATORY and will help the judges understand how you obtained the ideas and information in your essay.
8. The deadline for the 2026-2027 contest is April 12, 2027.
2026-2027 Essay Topic:
In a speech made on June 4, 1940, Winston Churchill included the following memorable words:
“…we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the new world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and liberation of the old.”
Discuss these words in the speech. Your discussion might include answers to the following:
- What was the situation of Britain, and of Churchill, when he made the speech?
- What was the message of the speech?
- Is the message effectively conveyed? Focus on his use of words.
- What does the speech imply about “the new world”?
- What effect did the speech have on the morale of the British people?
- What effect did the speech have on Americans?
- How long had Churchill been Prime Minister when he made this speech?
Background Material:
Besides information bearing on the Topic that might be found elsewhere, be sure to study the material under “About Churchill” and “Background Material” pages on this website.
Tips for a Winning Essay:
1. Be sure of your facts before you write something that is wrong – like the country in which something took place, or the role that Churchill played.
2. Proofread your essay. Reading it out loud will help you to find mistakes – words left out or misused.
3. Attaching a bibliography to your essay will help the judges understand how you obtained the ideas and information in your essay.
4. Churchill supported himself and his family by writing books, which sold well. He used short words and short phrases to get his points across effectively. Here is an example from one of his speeches:
“Come then, let us to the task, to the battle, to the toil – each to our part, each to our station. Fill the armies, rule the air, pour out the munitions, strangle the U-boats, sweep the mines, plough the land, build the ships, guard the streets, succor the wounded, uplift the downcast and honor the brave.”
5. In your writing, aim for clarity and brevity. Your essay will be short, but it can say a lot if you write carefully and thoughtfully.
6. Try to put forth several points rather than repeating the same one in different ways.
Essay Submission procedure:
Complete the Online Entry Form below, upload your essay, and press the Submit button. You will receive an email confirmation upon successful submission.
Online Entry Form
Submit your essay by no later than midnight April 12, 2027.
Please address any questions about the Contest to Ben Capshaw at bcap031047@gmail.com or Ted Martin at tmartin242526@gmail.com.
If a teacher would like a member of the Board of the Churchill Society to speak to students about Churchill, please call Ben Capshaw at (504) 957-4999.
The Society will be happy to provide books on Churchill to a participating school, if requested.