Public Health Essay Contest

2025 Scholarship Contest

Charles T. Gibson Public Health Essay

1^st Place: $1,000 Scholarship & $75 Gift Card

2^nd Place: $500 Scholarship & $50 Gift Card

3^rd Place: $300 Scholarship & $50 Gift Card

Due: June 1, 2025 at 5pm

Guidelines:

Entry form and essay – Entry form should accompany the essay. The only personal information to appear on your essay is the last four digits of your social security number. These digits should appear in the upper right corner of the header section on each page. Please do not put your name or school you attend on the essay. This information will ONLY appear on the entry form.
Essay topic – Please submit an essay in your own words on a public health issue in our county and provide a possible solution. This essay must be centered on one of the following topics: access to healthcare, adolescent health, disease prevention, effective sex education, healthcare cost, mental health, substance abuse, or environmental health. Support your essay with who you believe should resolve the issue, facts, and research (with at least 3 scholarly sources).
Word limit – No more than 1500 words.
Format – Essay must be typed in black ink. Essay should be double-spaced on 8 ½” x 11” paper with 12 point font and 1” margins.
PowerPoint Visual Presentation – Provide a PowerPoint of no more than 5 slides. This presentation should align with the health issue you chose to discuss in your essay.
Eligibility – Contest is open to all currently enrolled Wayne County high school students (public, private and home schooled). Guidelines have to be followed to remain eligible.

Essay, PowerPoint Presentation and completed entry form must be submitted electronically using the online links below.

How to Enter:

Wayne County Health Department – Hunter Hijma
301 N. Herman Street Box CC
Goldsboro, NC 27530