Chinese American Citizens Alliance National Essay Contest

Through this contests 40+ year history, thousands of high school students across the nation have participated in the Alliance’s National Essay Contest. The essay contest is intended to foster creative thinking and self-expression and encourage an awareness of current local and world events. Top placing finishers receive cash scholarships towards their education endeavors. This annual contest is open to any student enrolled in high school (grades 9-12). No entry fee required. Participants are given 90 minutes to compose an essay in English not to exceed 500 words on a contemporary topic concerning the Chinese and Asian American communities. The essay topic is given at the time of the contest.  

All essays are judged nationally for national cash awards.  Additionally, C.A.C.A. Portland Lodge will judge the essays written by Oregon and SW Washington contestants for local cash awards.      

Current details of the 2026 essay contest:

• Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026

• Time: 10:00-12:00 PST

• Format: In-Person Only.  Contestants are encouraged to bring their own laptop computers to compose the essay on-site and submit their essay electronically, or a second option is to write the essay in a provided Blue Book. 

• Location: Somewhere in Portland to be determined.  Keep watch on this website for upcoming location.

Registration period will be from Sunday, January 25 to Saturday, February 28, 2026.