George R. Hensel Ethics Essay Contest | Rotary International District 5300

About the Contest

Rotary International District 5300 George R. Hensel Ethics Essay Contest is designed to challenge high school students to analyze ethical issues and concerns confronting them in today’s complex world. Because our fellow Rotarian, businessman, and philanthropist, George R. Hensel, Ph.D., privately funded this contest before his death in 2012. Students submit essays to their local Rotary Clubs and may, at the club’s discretion, present their essays at a club meeting. Winners at the club level advance to the District Level and four winners at that level are awarded monetary prizes. The top three runners-up receive cash prizes of $500 each, plus $200 for their teacher, and the winner at the District Level gets $3,000 plus $1,000 for his/her teacher. The overall winning essay is presented at the DC.

2024/25 Contest Deadlines
Club Participation and Registration Fee ($350.)
Must be submitted to District 5300 by December 29, 2024, via DACdb
Click Here to Register Your Club to Participate in the Contest

2024/25 Contest Deadlines
Club intent to Participate and Registration Fee must be submitted to District 5300 by December 29, 2024 via DACdb.
The contest is held on two competition levels:
Club level, and District level.
The student who wins first place at the Club level
advances to the District level.

Club Level
Club Level Contest must be held in late February to early March. The Club’s winning essay must be completed by March 10, 2025 for submission to the District.

District Level
Club’s winning Essay must be submitted by email to the Contest District Chair by March 17, 2025, via:[email protected]
The winning District Essays will be presented at the District Conference on Saturday, April 11, 2025.