Who's Got This in Your Life? Essay Contest
DM Injury Law will host the 6th Annual Debate KC "Who's Got This!" Essay Contest for the 2026-2027 School Year. Debate KC participants are invited to share an essay on a community hero.
If you’re interested in joining our competition, the first thing you need to do is identify someone in your life who’s “Got This!” This should be someone you look up to as a mentor and inspiration. Your subject can be someone from school, home, work, church, or anywhere else.
Entries Accepted
Monday, November 2, 2026 - Friday, January 15, 2027
Winners Notified
No later than February 14, 2027
Contest Topic
Describe a champion or hero who has performed an act of compassion, courage, or connection. It can be a family member, leader, mentor, or friend. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national, or international level.
Contest Prizes
High School Prizes:
- 1st Place: $2,000 scholarship
- 2nd Place: Laptop computer
- 3rd Place: $500 gift card
Middle School Prizes:
- 1st Place: Laptop computer
- 2nd Place: $250 gift card
- 3rd Place: $100 gift card
More information on prizes is detailed in the contest rules.
Judging Criteria
All Essays will be judged by a judging panel consisting of the Sponsor’s staff based on the following criteria:
- Tells a compelling story (70%)
- Completeness (15%) – Did you fully answer the prompt?
- Writing quality and grammar (15%)
Contest Policies
Submission Requirements
- Submissions must tell a compelling and unique story about a person in your life who’s “Got This”
- Your essay can be a maximum of 750 words (not including the title) or less than 120-seconds for video
- All submissions should be typed in double-spaced Times New Roman, 11- or 12-point, videos must include first and last name of participant and hero
- You must submit a .PDF file or .MP4 file
- Your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address must be located at the top of each page so we can easily track submissions and contact winners
- Your photo and a photo of your hero is requested at time of submission
- A parent's signature is required at form submission. Submission to the “Mike’s ‘Got This’” contest, the student and parent give us permission to use their submission to promote the contest on social media.
- All participants must be 13 years of age or older at the time of submission
Disclaimer: Submissions must be suitable for all audiences. DM Injury Law reserves the right to reject entries that are gratuitously violent, sexually suggestive, vulgar, or otherwise explicitly offensive.
Contact The Contest Coordinator
Important Note: Before contacting the "Mike's Got This®" Essay Contest Coordinator, please be sure to read over the contest rules.
Email: [email protected]