2024 President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge

On April 3, 1975, at the end of the Vietnam War, President Ford directed American officials in Saigon to expedite the relocation of thousands of Vietnamese orphans to the United States in support of our Vietnamese allies, a maneuver dubbed “Operation Babylift.” As he said in the speech announcing Operation Babylift. “This is the least we can do, and we will do much, much more.”

Along with “Operation New Life,” which evacuated over 100,000 Vietnamese refugees fleeing the communist North Vietnamese Army’s advance, these efforts resulted in a surge of new American citizens, representing (in the words of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty), “… your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free….” 

President Ford believed that America had a responsibility to our nation’s Vietnamese allies. It is now almost half a century later, and immigration continues to be a significant issue in the U.S. Reflecting on the experiences of your family and community, what do the words “American Citizen” mean to you?

We invite you to write 500-750 words on this question.


2024 President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge Rules and Guidelines
(
click here)

  • Thank you to those who submitted entries for this year’s writing challenge! We are no longer accepting submissions at this time, but we will be in touch with more information as we move through thre review process. 
    • First Place: $2,500 plus a $500 Meijer gift card for the student’s teacher

    • Second Place: $1,500 plus a $250 Meijer gift card for the student’s teacher

    • Third Place: $1,000 plus a $100 Meijer gift card for the student’s teacher

    • Up to seven Honorable Mention Awards of $500

  • If you were unable to email your submission, please contact Don Cooper at education@38foundation.org or call 616-254-0370.

Contacts

Utilize the following contacts for questions on the Student Writing Challenge and submissions:


President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge past winners

Watch the virtual awards ceremony to honor the winners of the 2021 President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge.

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