Discover the Life and Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is a nonpartisan, educational institution promoting the high ideals of integrity, honesty, and candor that defined President Ford’s extraordinary career of public service.
Congratulations to the 2025 Student Writing Challenge Winners!
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge—a national competition that encourages high school students to reflect on leadership, civic duty, and answering the call to serve in the spirit of President Ford.
This year’s theme asked students to explore:
"In your life, what has prepared you to follow Gerald Ford’s example of answering the call to serve, especially if the call is unexpected?"
Inspired by President Ford’s historic assumption of the presidency in 1974, students from across the country submitted thoughtful, personal essays reflecting the values of service, courage, and integrity. From a competitive field of entries, the Foundation is excited to honor the following students:
2025 Winners
First Place – ($2,500) Santiago Ortega-Brown – Tuckahoe High School, Eastchester, NY
Second Place – ($1,500) Christian Hudnall – Strake Jesuit High School, Humble, TX
Third Place – ($1,000) Trenton Belton – East Kentwood High School, Kentwood, MI
Honorable Mentions – $500 each
• Ella Pearl Coopersmith – San Marin High School, Petaluma, CA
• Madeline Murchison – Hudsonville High School, Hudsonville, MI
• Dylan M. Smith – Sleepy Hollow High School, Sleepy Hollow, NY
• Anna Masonic – Lone Peak High School, Big Sky, MT
• William Koh – Flintridge Preparatory School, Los Angeles, CA
Read their essays here.
