Thank you to all those who participated in our recent essay competition on American Individualism at Thales College. We were impressed with the thoughtfulness and spirit that went into the submissions.
After careful review of all entries and interviews with finalists, we are pleased to announce the winners of the competition:
- 1st Place:
- Alexander L, Alabama, Grade 11
- 2nd Place:
- Evie L, South Korea, Grade 10
- 3rd Place:
- Holden M, North Carolina, Grade 11
- Honorable Mentions:
- Trinity N, North Carolina, Grade 11
- Ashley Y, Indiana, Grade 12
- Lucy B, North Dakota, Grade 12
- Rylan W, North Carolina, Grade 11
We congratulate these students on their outstanding essays and look forward to seeing their work published in upcoming editions of The University Bookman and Theory & Ground.
Once again, thank you for the time and effort many of you dedicated to this contest. We hope you will stay connected and consider registering for our 2025 Summer Institute.
Contest Details
- Word Count: 500-1000 word essay
- Submission Deadline: January 25, 2025
- Citation Format: Turabian
*All essays must be submitted through the application link.
Use of AI:
(a) A.I. should not be used in any way in the writing of the essay and (b) finalists will be contacted for a brief interview about their papers.
Essay Prompt
Individualism—understood as rugged self-reliance and an independent spirit—is a time-honored principle of American identity. However, a focus on the individual can also encourage self-absorption, which leads to poor life choices and societal decay. What is the best way to think about individualism as you prepare to step into adulthood? How can your generation avoid the pitfalls of self-obsession while promoting a virtuous American individualism?
First Prize
$8,000 tuition grant OR $2,500 cash prize
Published in The University Bookman (online publication) and Thales College’s Theory & Ground (new print publication!)
Second Prize
$4,000 tuition grant OR $1,000 cash prize
Published in The University Bookman (online publication) and Thales College’s Theory & Ground(new print publication!)
Third Prize
$2,000 tuition grant OR $500 cash prize
Published in Thales College’s Theory & Ground (new print publication!)
Honorable Mention
Free enrollment in Thales College Summer Institute 2025.