Black History Month Essay Contest 2025 – DFW Area
Dallas, TX (January 3, 2025) – The Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC) is proud to announce its annual Black History Month Essay Contest, honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. This inspiring contest encourages students to explore the principles and achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the Red Tails, who broke barriers and served as trailblazers during World War II.
The contest is open to 4th–8th grade students across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including homeschool, charter, public, and private school students. Participants will reflect on how the Tuskegee Airmen’s six guiding principles—Aim High, Believe in Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready to Go, Never Quit, and Expect to Win—continue to impact and inspire society today.
Essay Prompts
• Grades 4th–5th: A Principle for Today – Choose one of the six guiding principles and explain how it is still relevant in society today. (300 words or less)
• Grades 6th–7th: How Did the Tuskegee Airmen Inspire Us? – Discuss how the Tuskegee Airmen's principles have shaped and inspired future generations. (500 words or less)
• Grade 8: The Red Tails: A Symbol of Defiance – Explore how the Tuskegee Airmen’s red-tailed fighter planes symbolized their fight against discrimination and challenged stereotypes. (750 words or less)
Awards and Recognition
• Winners: One winner will be selected from each grade group.
• Prizes: Winners will receive a commemorative, all-leather replica of the flight jackets worn by the Tuskegee Airmen.
• Special Recognition: Winners and their families will be invited to present their essays during the NAEC’s Black History Month Event on February 21, 2025.
Submission Details
The submission deadline is February 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Central
To apply, visit https://cafhq.formstack.com/forms/bhm_essay_contest.
This contest allows students to deepen their understanding of the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy while connecting their stories to modern-day values. “We are excited to engage young minds in this exploration of history and inspire them to carry forward the principles that made the Tuskegee Airmen such remarkable individuals,” said a spokesperson for the NAEC.
