Kansas Rural Voices Youth Contest
Scholarship Sponsored by North Central Regional Planning Commission
Contest at a Glance
The Rural Voices Youth Contest invites high school seniors in North Central Kansas to submit an original essay or short video for a chance to win monetary awards. Entries may be either a minimum 1,000-word essay or a 3–5 minute video. Two winners are selected annually and each receives a $1,000 prize.
Description: A regional contest for high school seniors to reflect on rural Kansas and propose ideas for the future.
Award Value: Two winners, $1,000 each plus recognition as John R. Cyr Rural Voices Award recipients.
- Open to high school seniors in the NCRPC service area.
- Two winners receive $1,000 each.
- Submit an essay (≥1,000 words) or a 3–5 minute video.
About the Contest
The contest is sponsored by the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) and celebrates student perspectives on rural Kansas. Since its inception in 2006, the contest has awarded more than $30,000 to students across the region. Winning entries are published on the NCRPC website to share student insights with the community.
History of the Award: Established in 2006, the contest honors community leadership and civic engagement and recognizes outstanding student work over multiple years.
Recognition: Winners receive the John R. Cyr Rural Voices Award in tribute to NCRPC’s long-serving executive director.
- Administered by NCRPC to highlight rural perspectives.
- More than $30,000 in awards since 2006.
- Winning entries are published for public view.
2026–2027 Theme
The theme for 2026–2027 is "Rural Kansas...Building What's Next." Entrants should present a clear vision for what their community should build next—whether an idea, program, business, tradition, or place—and explain how stakeholders can collaborate to make it happen. Submissions should also describe the applicant’s personal role in implementing that vision.
Description: Focus your entry on practical and aspirational ideas that shape the future of rural Kansas through community collaboration.
Application Focus: Explain actionable steps, involved partners, and your personal contribution to building what’s next.
- Theme centers on future-building for rural communities.
- Explain collaborative steps and your role in implementation.
- Entries should be specific and actionable in scope.
Who Can Enter?
The contest is open to high school seniors who live in or attend a public or private high school within the NCRPC’s 12-county service area. Home-schooled students who reside within the same geographic area are also eligible. Eligibility is determined by whether any portion of a student’s school district boundaries falls within the NCRPC counties.
Eligibility: High school seniors living in or attending school within the NCRPC service area counties are eligible to submit.
Service Area: NCRPC serves Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, and Washington counties.
- Open to seniors in the 12 NCRPC counties.
- Home-schooled students in the service area may enter.
- Eligibility tied to school district boundaries overlapping the service area.
Interested in Submitting?
To enter, complete and submit the required registration form by the contest deadline in February. The registration form is a fillable PDF that requires a signature; instructions explain how to scan and email or print and mail the signed form. After submission, a confirmation email is sent within 24 hours—contact [email protected] if you do not receive confirmation.
Registration Form: A signed, submitted registration form is required with each entry and must be received by the deadline.
Application Timeline: Forms must be submitted by the February deadline; follow the instructions on the form for electronic or mailed delivery.
- Complete and sign the fillable PDF registration form.
- Email or mail the form per the instructions included.
- Expect a confirmation email within 24 hours; contact [email protected] if none is received.
Official Rules
All entries and registration forms must be received by the stated deadline; submissions must be delivered electronically where required. Keep a copy of your sent email or submission for proof in case of technical issues. Late entries without verifiable proof of timely submission will not be considered.
Submission Requirements: Ensure both the entry and the completed registration form are submitted according to the contest instructions and by the deadline.
Tip: Retain proof of submission (such as a sent email) to resolve any transmission problems.
- Follow the submission instructions precisely and meet the deadline.
- Submit both the entry and the completed registration form.
- Keep proof of submission in case of technical issues.
Eligibility Criteria
The contest allows one entry per person and is not open to NCRPC employees or their immediate family members. Eligible entrants are high school seniors who live in or attend school within the NCRPC’s 12-county service area; home-schooled students in the same geographic area may also enter. A student qualifies if any portion of their school district’s official boundaries falls within the service area.
Eligible: High school seniors residing in or attending school within the NCRPC service area (Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, Washington) and home-schooled students in the same area.
Not Eligible: NCRPC employees and immediate family members are barred from participation; only one entry per person is permitted.
- One entry allowed per person.
- Open to seniors in the 12 NCRPC counties and qualifying home-schooled students.
- NCRPC employees and immediate family members are ineligible.