INDIANA – The Indiana Center for the Book is calling on all Hoosier fourth graders to participate in its annual Statehood Day Essay Contest, commemorating Indiana’s 209th Statehood Day on December 11.
The theme for this year’s competition is “Explore Indiana!” Fourth graders are encouraged to interpret “exploring” broadly, covering topics such as Indiana’s different counties, expansive roadways, beautiful landscapes, rich history, or even sports teams.
Eligibility and Prizes
The contest is open to any Indiana fourth-grade student—whether public, private, or homeschooled—during the 2025–2026 school year.
Three winners will be selected, and each will receive an Indiana529 deposit of $529, made possible by the Indiana Education Savings Authority.
Submission Guidelines
Essays must meet the following criteria:
- Theme: Must reflect the “Explore Indiana!” theme.
- Length: Must range from 100 to 300 words.
- Format: Can be either handwritten or typed and must be well-organized.
All submissions must include an entry form. Individual entries should use the 2025 Individual Entry form and include the student’s name, school (if applicable), and hometown on the essay. Class sets must use the 2025 Group Entry Form and include the student’s name, teacher’s name, and school name on the essay.
The submission deadline for all essays is October 20. The contest is run by the Indiana Center for the Book, a program of the Indiana State Library and an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
For full entry details and forms, visit the contest website. Questions can be emailed directly to the Indiana Center for the Book.
