Essay Topics
2024-2025 School Year
Select a location below to view your topic:
Essay Rules
Essays which do not meet the following guidelines will be disqualified:
- Essay must be at least 1000 words excluding cover page and works cited.
- Essay must be double spaced.
- Essay must be submitted before deadline.
- Essay must be the applicant’s original work.
- Essay must follow the prompt given.
- Essay must have been written by the student without the use of AI.
Silver Pen Basics
- The Silver Pen Writing Competition started in 2012 as a way to bridge the communication gap between high school seniors and our members.
- Each community chooses an essay topic this year’s competition. Topics will not be released until the day Silver Pen is released to schools.
- Members at each community will select three winners.
- Winners will receive their awards at a special Silver Pen Ceremony.
Feb
16
Timeline
Submissions Start: 11/18/24Applications Due: 2/16/25
Winners Announced: 3/17/25
Awards
1st Place – $2,5002nd Place – $1,250
Am I Eligible?
Silver Pen is open to:
- All high school seniors who live or attend school within 25 miles of the community they are applying to. (Osprey Village is open to applicants within 35 miles)
- Community employees and children of employees
- Residents limited families – grand (great grand) children, nieces and nephews (grand nieces and nephews)
Frequently Asked Questions
Stats at a Glance
$554,750
Total awarded since 2012
525
Total Award Winners
15
Participating Locations
45
Winners selected last year
16.5
Average applications per community
$3,750
Amount awarded per community
248
Total applications received in 2023-2024
Apply Now
Applications Due: Feb 16, 2025Required Documents
- Essay
- Transcript
IMPORTANT!
After submitting your essay, you MUST receive a green confirmation box thanking you for your submission. If you do not get the green box, your submission did not go through and there is no way for us to receive your essay. Click the button below to see what the confirmation message looks like.
Confirmation Example