(Closed) 2025 International Essay Contest: Small Sparks, Big Change *Deadline Extended*

📢 International Contest Announcement 📢

Calling all students with a passion for creating positive change in their communities and beyond! We are excited to announce our essay contest, organized by Global Emerging Leaders, aimed at fostering critical thinking and inspiring young minds to tackle important social issues.

Contest Theme: Addressing Social Issues

🌍 Small Sparks, Big Change 🌍

Today’s world needs leaders like you ready to spot and solve the problems around you—big or small. A social issue doesn’t have to be earth-shattering to matter; it can be something you’ve noticed that feels off, or a routine we’ve grown used to but could improve. Remember, even modest, well-thought-out ideas can spark real change.

In these unprecedented times, as we witness both incredible progress and daunting setbacks, we firmly believe that the youth holds the key to unlocking a better world. Your unique perspectives, boundless energy, and fresh insights are precisely what is required to tackle the complex issues that shape our societies.

This contest is not just about writing essays; it's about empowering you to be catalysts for progress. It's about fostering critical thinking, encouraging empathy, and inspiring action. Your words have the potential to resonate beyond these pages, to ignite conversations, and to inspire countless others to join hands in making a positive impact.

So, seize this opportunity to make your voice heard, to share how you've noticed a small spark and what you did about it!

⭐️ Contest Details ⭐️

The GEL's International Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and compelling essay that demonstrates a local social issue and one's responsibilities toward addressing it. In your essay, we want you to focus on a social issue that you have experienced or noticed in your community. We believe that understanding the state of the issue, its underlying causes, and the efforts made to address it are crucial steps towards finding effective solutions. Reflecting on your personal experiences and beliefs, how can you, as an individual and/or as a group, make a significant impact in society by addressing a social issue that is close to your heart?

Be sure to add the following in your essay:

1️⃣ Describe the state of the issue: Shed light on the current state of the social issue you have chosen. Clearly explain why this issue is important and how it impacts individuals and communities. Use relevant data, statistics, and examples to provide a comprehensive understanding of the problem. Make sure to give credit to the sources by citing or naming them.

2️⃣ Why is this issue important to you? Share your personal connection to the chosen issue. Explain what inspired you to select this particular topic. Feel free to draw from personal experiences, observations, beliefs, values or encounters that have shaped your perspective.

3️⃣ Propose your solution: This is where your creativity and problem-solving skills come into play. Imagine yourself in a position to address the issue. Present your unique ideas and strategies for effectively tackling the problem at hand. While we encourage you to focus on one possible solution, you may choose up to three. Remember, the key to a strong solution is feasibility and details of how you plan to engage in your solution can make a positive contribution to addressing the issue. Reflect on what you, as an individual, can do to make a difference. Consider the resources, skills, and support you have or can acquire. Solutions can be anything you can actually "do" (e.g., raising awareness, advocating, organizing an event or a group, policy recommendations, petitions, marches, creating an app, educating, and many more).

There is no single path to change; every idea, big or small, holds immense potential to transform lives and communities. Your genuine connection to the chosen social issue matters, and we celebrate the diversity of perspectives that shape our world. Embrace your uniqueness, share your voice, and inspire us all with your ideas for a better future.

To participate in the contest, please follow these guidelines:

1. Eligibility: The contest is open to all high school students around the world.

2. Essay Format: Failure to meet the requirements below will result in disqualification.

   1. Word limit: maximum 650 words

   2. Font: 12 point; Times New Roman

   3. 1 inch margins

   4. Single spaced

   5. Word Doc or Docx File

3. Original Work: Essays must be the original work of the student.

4. Submission: Click on the "Apply Here" button towards the bottom of the page and submit your form.

5. Deadline: Submissions must be received no later than August 30th, 2025 11:59pm (U.S. Pacific Time). Late submissions will not be considered.

🏆 Evaluation Criteria 🏆

Our panel of esteemed judges will carefully assess each essay to select the winners of this contest. To ensure a fair and thorough evaluation, the following criteria will be considered:

1. Originality and Creativity: We value fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that demonstrate original thinking. Show us your unique approach to the social issue and how your proposed solution will be impactful.

2. Clarity and Coherence: Clearly present your thoughts and arguments in a well-structured manner. Your essay should flow logically, making it easy for the reader to follow your line of reasoning.

3. Depth of Analysis: Dig deep into the state of the chosen social issue. Use relevant evidence, data, and examples to support your insights, showcasing a comprehensive understanding of the problem.

4. Personal Connection: Demonstrate a genuine connection to the issue you've chosen. Share your personal experiences, emotions, or encounters that have influenced your decision to address this particular social problem.

5. Feasibility of Solutions: Consider the practicality and viability of your proposed solutions. How realistic are your ideas? Show us that you've thought through the potential challenges and how you can overcome them.

6. Impact Potential: Articulate the potential impact of your proposed actions. How would your efforts create meaningful change and inspire others to join your cause?

7. Writing Style and Expression: Showcase your writing skills and ability to convey ideas effectively. Engaging and compelling prose will leave a lasting impression on the judges.

8. Relevance to Contest Theme: Ensure your essay directly addresses the contest theme of empowering individuals to address social issues. Stay focused on the prompt and avoid tangents that detract from your main message.

The judges will meticulously evaluate each essay based on these criteria, and the winners will be selected based on the merit of their submissions.

🏆 Contest Prizes 🏆

The top three winners of this contest will be announced and listed on our website to celebrate their accomplishments. Winners will also be notified by email. A Certificate of Achievement will be given to the winners.

Additionally, we will also award honorary mentions to participants who demonstrate exceptional creativity, insight, and potential impact.

📅 Important Dates and Submission Guidelines 📅

Essay submission opens: July 1st, 2025 (U.S. Pacific Time)

Essay submission deadline: August 30th, 2025 11:59pm (U.S. Pacific Time) Deadline has been extended from August 15th to August 30th

Winners announcement: September 15th, 2025 (U.S. Pacific Time)

We eagerly await your insightful essays and innovative solutions to address the social issues that matter most to you! Your ideas have the power to create meaningful change and inspire others to take action. Best of luck to all the participants!

For any further inquiries or clarification, please feel free to contact us at info.gelnpo@gmail.com

Together, let's ignite a wave of positive transformation in society!

🏆 Contest Winners 🏆

This contest received over 300 applicants from 13 different countries! ⭐️

First Place:

Tareq AlSourani (Jordan, 12th)

Second Place:

Bona Koo (USA, 11th),

Alice Kim (USA, 11th),

Harryn Choi (USA, 11th),

Natname Shibru (Ethiopia, 12th)

Third Place:

Eshaan Dangayach (USA, 12th)

This year, we had so many great storytellers and problem solvers!! We would also like to congratulate the 4th and 5th places!

Fourth Place:

Jin Seo (South Korea, 11th),

Rania Allauddin (Pakistan, 11th),

Carla Ammary (Jordan, 12th),

Ain Park (South Korea, 11th),

Juho Kim (Japan, 12th)

Fifth Place:

Jaden Ryu (USA, 11th),

Yuna Han (USA, 11th),

Yunwoo Kim (USA, 12th)

Honorary Mentions for Unique Topics:

Youssef Tarek Mohamed (Egypt, 11th)

Reehan Park (USA, 12th)

Haryn Woo (South Korea, 12th)

Soyeon Kim (USA, 11th)

Samuel Choi (USA, 12th)

In a world brimming with young minds ready to tackle pressing social issues, the response to the GEL's International Essay Contest has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. We are thrilled to share that we received over three hundred submissions from students across 13 diverse countries, including USA, Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Korea, and India. The quality, passion, and thoughtful analysis embedded in each essay left us deeply moved.

The essays shed light on an array of societal challenges, illuminating the concerns that resonate deeply with our global youth. It was heartening to see the depth and breadth of topics that were explored. (Check out the topics that were discussed below.)

In every submission, we witnessed an unyielding commitment to unraveling the complexities of these issues. Each essay radiated a unique perpective, shaped by personal experiences and beliefs, making the selection process all the more challenging for our esteemed panel of judges.

Without further ado, it is our honor to introduce the exceptional minds who emerged as the winners of the GEL's International Essay Contest:

1st Place:

Winner: Tareq AlSourani

Topic: The Digital Divide--how human connection could be a solution

Country: Jordan

2nd Place:

Winner: Bona Koo

Topic: Isolation among the geriatric population

Country: USA

Winner: Alice Kim

Topic: Lack of mental health resources for middle schoolers

Country: USA

Winner: Harryn Choi

Topic: Changing society's perception of homeless people through empathy

Country: USA

Winner: Natname Shibru

Topic: The dying language (Ge'ez)

Country: Ethiopia

3rd Place:

Winner: Eshaan Dangayach

Topic: Financial Literacy for Teenagers

Country: USA

4th Place:

Winner: Jin Seo

Topic: Overcompetitiveness in Music and Art

Country: South Korea

Winner: Rania Allauddin

Topic: Gender-based violence in Pakistan

Country: Pakistan

Winner: Carla Ammary

Topic: Tech-facilitated Gender-based violence in Jordan

Country: Jordan

Winner: Ain Park

Topic: Art culture rewarding perfection over creativity

Country: South Korea

Winner: Juho Kim

Topic: Food waste during Family Festivals in Japan

Country: Japan

5th Place:

Winner: Jaden Ryu

Topic: Supporting Neurodiverse children

Country: USA

Winner: Yuna Han

Topic: Empowering Senior Citizens

Country: USA

Winner: Yunwoo Kim

Topic: Food allergies to food app

Country: USA

Honorary Mentions:

In addition to the winners, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to five exceptional essays that have earned honorary mentions. These essays stood out for their unique perspectives, in-depth research, and inspiring calls to action.

Honoree: Youssef Tarek Mohamed

Topic: Lack of support for the deaf

Country: Egypt

Honoree: Reehan Park

Topic: Lack of kindness and connection after Covid 19

Country: USA

Honoree: Haryn Woo

Topic: The Korean Education System affecting the young

Country: South Korea

Honoree: Soyeon Kim

Topic: Traditional clothing vs. fast fashion

Country: USA

Honoree: Samuel Choi

Topic: Fantasy sports, real consequences

Country: USA

We would also like to express our gratitude to all participants for your passion, dedication, and thought-provoking contributions. Your essays have amplified our belief in the potential of the youth to steer our society toward a brighter future.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage, learn, and make a difference. The journey doesn't end here; it's just the beginning.

Warm regards,

Global Emerging Leaders