AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS FOUNDATION
    PAST IS PROLOGUE ESSAY CONTEST
    2026 APPLICATION

    Essay due no later than 10pm MDT, Sunday, May 3, 2026

    To submit your essay:

    • Fill out the application below then hit "submit" button. You will receive a confirmation with a Unique ID number. The
      application must be submitted before your essay can be uploaded.


    • Upload the essay       using your unique Participant ID number no later than May 3, 2026 at 10 pm MDT.
      All essays must be received digitally through the Essay Contest portal.





    (Must be no older than 18 on May 3, 2026)















    Pledge to Submit an Original Essay

    Certification of the Student


    I, (type in full name of the student) , certify that the submitted essay will be/is actually and truly researched,
    conceived and composed by me and that I will not/have not used the technology of artificial intelligence
    to write the essay.


    Certification of the Adult Editor


    I, (type in full name of the editor) , certify that the submitted essay will be/is actually and truly researched,
    conceived and composed by him/her and that my assistance will be/is limited to the role of advisor,
    with editing activities limited to checking spelling, grammar and punctuation.
    I understand that the use of artificial intelligence is prohibited and will result in disqualification.


    Parent/Guardian Permissions


    When your student’s essay is chosen as winning a prize, the parent/guardian will be required to sign an
    Irrevocable Consent, Assignment and Release*. Additionally, a current, signed IRS Form W9 for the
    student will be required to be submitted to ABMF for the student to receive prize money.


    Because ABMF does not communicate directly with minors, the following permission allows ABMF to
    contact the parent/guardian regarding the several steps in the application, submission and notification
    process.


    Yes, American Battle Monuments Foundation may call and/or email me:

    • To acknowledge receipt of the essay.

    • To inform me/my child of the results. (Winners will be called and/or emailed; all participants will
      receive a notice informing them of the results.)

    • If my child submits a winning essay, to discuss how ABMF will announce the results, publicly
      identify the winners, and promote future contests.

    • To contact me regarding future contests and other ABMF activities.

    • ABMF may use my student’s first name, initial of the last name, and city/town for marketing
      purposes if they win.

    When your student’s essay is chosen as winning a prize, the parent/guardian will be required to sign an
    Irrevocable Consent, Assignment and Release*. Additionally, a current, signed IRS Form W9 for the
    student will be required to be submitted to ABMF for the student to receive prize money.

    IRREVOCABLE CONSENT, ASSIGNMENT AND RELEASE


    I (as parent or guardian) and the child (identified below) each irrevocably consent to and authorize
    American Battle Monuments Foundation (“ABMF”), its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and
    agents and any person or entity it so authorizes to use, reproduce and display all video testimonials
    (including photographs, video, audio, recordings and other images, and student writings related to
    ABMF (together, the “Materials”) taken of and/or produced by the child identified below, including
    identification of the child by name, for advertising, publicity purposes, and/or display, in all formats
    (including but not limited to any publications, multimedia display and the world wide web publication),
    without compensation or any other consideration to me or the child. All such Material and all rights
    therein, including but not limited to copyrights, are assigned to and shall constitute the property of
    ABMF, solely and completely. I and the child hereby release and forever discharge ABMF, its officers,
    directors, employees, volunteers, and agents for any and all claims arising out of or in connection
    with the use of the Material for any purpose related to ABMF.









    *Draw a signature using your cursor