On January 21, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced the kickoff of the 2025 “Save Texas History Essay Contest” for fourth- and seventh grade students. The “Save Texas History Essay Contest” encourages students to explore topics in Texas history or culture, however big or small that helped shape Texas.

“As a ninth-generation Texan, I am deeply committed to preserving Texas history and encouraging our next generation of leaders to do the same,” said Buckingham. “The GLO’s Save Texas History Essay Contest is a crucial part of this agency’s mission to safeguard the many cherished stories, documents, and artifacts that belong to our state's rich history. I encourage young Texans to write about what makes our state unique and why it is vital to preserve this history for future generations.”

Student essays traditionally reflect the state’s rich diversity, said a statement from the commissioner’s office. The contest’s previous fourth-grade grand-prize winner, Katy Bowman of Lockhart, explored the history of Caldwell County’s courthouse and square, including its many festivals and events. These include farmers’ markets, Courthouse Nights, Run for the Bulls, Día de los Muertos, and the annual Christmas parade. As Katy noted, “People from the community come and listen to music, talk, dance, and laugh together.”

The previous seventh-grade grand prize winner, Coltier Dodd, wrote about the Santa Rosa Rodeo Grounds, which contains the only wooden rodeo arena still in use in Texas. Coltier’s connection was also personal, with both his grandfather and mother having a long history with the local riding club – one that hopefully will continue “for many more generations to come.”

This year’s two grand-prize winners will each receive a gift card worth $500 courtesy of Chris Cantu of Kingsview Partners, and a free two-night stay in Austin at Hampton Inn & Suites University/Capitol. The five finalists in each grade will each receive gift cards worth $100 courtesy of the Moses Austin Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. All winners and finalists, as well as their teachers, will receive additional prizes from the Texas General Land Office and its essay contest sponsors.

Entries must meet all eligibility requirements and be received by April 1, 2025. More information and the contest entry form can be found by visiting glo.texas.gov/archives-and-heritage/save-texas-history/save-texas-history-essay-contest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery