Ninth Circuit Civics Contest

An essay and video contest for high school students in the western United States, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands sponsored by the United States Courts for the Ninth Circuit.

2027 Contest Theme

The Art of the Compromise—Civil Discourse Lessons Learned from American History

Throughout American history, citizens have disagreed over fundamental questions of constitutional principles, individual rights and public policy issues. Examples include the debate over ratifying the Constitution, slavery and states’ rights before the Civil War, women’s suffrage, civil rights, immigration and freedom of speech.

Choose one historical disagreement on fundamental constitutional principles, and explain how people on different sides expressed their views and compromised. From your example, discuss what today’s citizens can learn about their responsibility to engage in productive civil debate and seek principled compromise when addressing important public issues.

Eligibility and Deadlines

The 2027 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest is open to students in grades 9–12 who attend public, private, parochial or charter schools, as well as homeschooled students of equivalent grade status, in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands. Students may submit an essay, a video, or both, beginning January 6, 2027. The deadline to submit entries is March 5, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Awards and Recognition

Winners at the Ninth Circuit level will receive cash prizes, in addition to any prizes offered by their local judicial district—one of 15 across the circuit. First-place winners at the circuit level will be invited to attend part of the 2027 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference.

Local Contests

All 15 federal district courts in the Ninth Circuit will conduct a local contest to preliminarily judge essays and videos. Local contests may also offer prizes and other recognition. The top three finishers in each category at the district level will move on to become finalists in the circuit contest. Students who reside in any of these districts will compete in their district's local contest.

Finalists for the Ninth Circuit Contest will be selected in May, and the winners announced in June. Additional information will be provided at that time.

Select your district below for details about its local contest.

2026 Winning Video Entries

2026 Winning Essay Entries

2026 Ninth Circuit Civics Essay Contest District Level and Circuit Level Contest Winners

The 2027 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest is sponsored by the U.S. Courts for the Ninth Circuit and the Ninth Circuit Public Information and Community Outreach (PICO) Committee.