On this page, you will find a list of opportunities, contests, and scholarships that are available to high school juniors. These are organized by the month in which they are due, so please make sure you are checking often and looking at the deadlines!
VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, download the 2025-2026 entry form here and find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
American Legion Oratorial Contest
This is a speech contest offered to high school students with awards ranging from $2000 - $5,000 at the state finals. Students will compete and potentially advance to higher levels. The purpose of the contest is to develop knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution, the ability to think and speak clearly and critically, and the acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The Legion contest is a partner with the National Speech & Debate Association, the honor society for high-school students (formerly the National Forensic League).
Missouri Boys / Girls State at Lindenwood University
Early Decision Application Deadline: TBD
Application and Materials must be submitted by: TBD
This is a week long leadership program designed specifically for high school juniors. Students will learn about government by creating a fictional state, running for offices, creating cities, counties, and establishing laws. This is a historical program that can be put on your resumes for a lifetime. College credit and scholarship opportunities are available for interested students. We encourage students with a 3.0 GPA or above to apply.
If you have additional questions please see your school counselors.
Boys State
Fee $500 - Cost sponsored by local Hallsville organizations
Date TBD
Girls State
Fee: $500 - Cost sponsored by local Hallsville organizations
Date TBD
Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals - Public Speaking Contest
Deadline: December 29, 2025
The Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals offers scholarships through for students associated with it's member Fairs and Festivals.
The Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals annual Public Speaking contest which begins at the local level and continues through to the state finals which is held at the annual association convention in February of each year. The Mofairs Public Speaking Contest is designed to develop agriculture leadership, provide for member participation in public speaking activities, and stimulate interest in leadership in general. The final contest is held each year in connection with the Mofairs Annual Convention scheduled at the Margaritaville Lake Resort Osage Beach, Missouri.
GENERAL PLAN All preliminary contests are for local participation and are held under the direction of the county fair concerned. These events finalize in the state contest held at the MAFF annual convention. All county contests must follow same rules as the MoFairs Public Speaking Contest finals.
AWARD LEVELS
Three scholarships will be awarded based on the judges determination.
1st Place - $1,500.00 and award plaque
2nd Place - $ 900.00 and award plaque
3rd Place - $ 600.00 and award plaque
ELIGIBILTY
The state contest will be limited to participation by one student representing any FAIR or FESTIVAL. The sponsoring event must be a current member of the association.
The contest is open to students who are currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12 during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Previous state winners (first place, second place, or third place) will not be eligible to compete again.
Each contestants manuscript will be the result of the students OWN EFFORTS. It is expected that each contestant will take advantage of all available training facilities in their local area in developing their speaking ability. Facts and working data may be secured from any source but must be related to fairs and agriculture. Topics of a non agriculture nature will be disqualified.
Contestants who compete must submit to the MoFairs office the following materials.
a) Four double-spaced typewritten copies of their speech on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, each copy bound by a staple.
b) Date and location of qualifying contest
c) A complete and accurate bibliography used in writing the speech.
d) A signed copy of the originality form as provided.
e) All contestants in the MoFairs Public Speaking Contest shall give credit to others where any direct quotes, phrases, or special dates are used in their manuscript in order to not be guilty of plagiarism. Failure to do so will automatically disqualify a contestant
Entry deadline is December 29, 2025.
Go HERE for additional information and the application.
Missouri Fine Arts Academy
The Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) is a two-week summer residential program for highly motivated sophomore, junior and senior high school student artists. You can apply during your freshman year to participate as a rising sophomore. Categories for participation include:
visual arts/mixed media
theatre
dance
creative writing
music (instrumental and vocal)
This program is housed on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. All costs are included and students will receive college credit with Missouri State University at no additional cost. There is an application for this program and a selection process to be considered.
Click here for more information.
Optimist International Essay Contest
Application & Essay Due to Mrs. Sides: January 9, 2026
A local scholarship can be awarded to a Hallsville student with the chance to compete for an additional $2,500 at the district level. This contest is open to all students ages 19 and under. This is not a senior only scholarship opportunity.
Between 700 - 800 words
Topic: "How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me"
Click here for the application and information including the scoring rubric.
Optimist International Essay Contest
This is a local scholarship that can be awarded to a Hallsville student with the chance to compete for an additional $2,500 at the district level. This contest is open to all students ages 19 and under. This is not a senior-only scholarship opportunity.
Your essay must include:
Between 700 - 800 words
"Who is an everyday hero that brings out the optimism in you?"
Click Here for the application and information, including the scoring rubric.
ATSU Truman Healthcare Academy
The ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy offers an integrated curriculum that exposes students to the methods and skills of a variety of health professions, including:
osteopathic medicine
nursing
orthopedic surgery
prosthetics
personal training
exercise physiologist
audiology/speech pathology
physical and occupational therapy
nutrition
and other health professions
Students learn about health professions through hands-on activities and stimulating discussions. In many sessions, students will engage in simulations where they address real problems confronted by health care professionals. Students will also formally present on a medical or health issue at the end of the program.
In addition, students visit and practice skills in health care and medical training facilities including the cadaver anatomy lab, nursing patient simulators, exercise physiology lab, athletic training lab, speech and hearing clinic, osteopathic manual muscle therapy lab, and diagnostic ultrasound for a few examples. Students personally interact with a variety of health care professionals including physicians, surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, epidemiologists, athletic trainers, speech pathologists, prosthetics, anatomy instructors, and exercise physiologists.
Boone Electric Youth Tour Contest
Application Opens:
Application and Materials Due:
Location: Washington D.C.
Date: TBD
Cost: None
Information about the Tour:
Public, private or homeschooled high school junior students can apply to experience a trip of a lifetime!
Up to ten students may receive a $500 scholarship
Four finalists will get an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
You will represent the co-op at a leadership conference, see national landmarks, monuments and places ingrained in American history.
Click here for more information.
Mizzou Mini-Med School
Application and Materials Due:
Location: University of Missouri - Columbia
Date: TBA
Cost: $650.00 Per session (students choose 1 session to attend)
This overnight camp is for Missouri high school rising seniors who are interested in a career in medicine. Students will attend lectures and will participate in the same Patient Based Learning (PBL) curriculum that Mizzou medical students do. We will have lots of hands-on clinical experiences, time our simulation and anatomy centers and social events in the evenings. This is a great experience for anyone who is considering medical school after college.
Missouri high school students interested in careers in medicine can preview what medical school is like during Mini Medical School.
The students will stay in residence halls and eat in dining rooms on campus.
We strongly encourage students from underrepresented minority groups and from rural communities to apply.
Participation will be open to current Missouri high school juniors.
Click here for more information.
Horatio Alger Association Scholarships for High School Juniors
Deadline: TBD
The Association will award more than 100 National Scholarships at $25,000 each, and more than 500 State Scholarships at $10,000 each. To be eligible to apply for a Horatio Alger National or State Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
Be a United States citizen
Please go here for the application.
Mizzou MedPrep: Medical Explorations Workshop
This online and in-person workshop is open at the University of Missouri-Columbia untill spots are filled, though a limited number of participants are accepted. The cost is $50.00 per session.
Click here for more information.
Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF)
The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF) is a five-day overnight program that empowers high school students with disabilities (IEP or 504). Approximately 30 Missouri students will participate in developing leadership skills and career awareness.
Experience college life:
Spend time on a college campus
Stay in the dorms with a roommate and other participants from the Forum
Participate in various social activities:
A keynote speaker, talent show, adaptive sports night, and dance with a photo booth
Meet people with disabilities from all walks of life to hear their stories and see firsthand that you can do anything in life
Learn about government and advocacy:
A day at the Capitol with a mock legislative session with legislators and a visit the Governor’s office
Asking for accommodations in the workplace and post-secondary education
Meet alumni and other students from other parts of Missouri
Learn about what resources can help you live your life to the fullest
Gain lots of self-determination and how to advocate for yourself
Visit the website and complete the application (https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/ylf.htm) If you have questions, need assistance filling out your application, or need an alternative format, please email gcd@oa.mo.gov or call our office at 573-751-2600 or 800-877-8249.
Constitutional Democracy Academy
This summer seminar is open to rising high school juniors and seniors who are deeply interested in American history and American politics. This seminar is hosted on Mizzou's campus and students will be housed in campus residence halls.
Discussion topics include:
The Constitutional Convention
Separation of Powers
Founding Mothers
Slavery and the Constitution
The Bill of Rights
The Supreme Court
Click here for the application.
Columbia College Summer Camps
For 9th-12th grade students. Led by Columbia College faculty and visiting guest artists from around the country, this four-day overnight camp is an immersive musical experience that will help students find their voice.
For 6th-12th grade students. Campers will grow their skillsets with Esports professionals, connect with fellow gamers, and learn about various career opportunities in the gaming industry.
CC Bling It On: Silversmithing 101
For 11th-12th grade students. Campers will learn the tools and techniques of the jewelry industry and create one-of-a-kind wearable artwork.
For 11th-12th grade students. Campers will explore their passion for nursing and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art healthcare simulators.
For 11th-12th grade students. Learn the various procedures and techniques used in forensic labs today. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the entire process, from sampling to a mock trial to prove your case. You will gain a better understanding of the forensic process and how to apply it to a staged crime scene.
Computer Professions on Demand CPoD
This program will accept 20 students each summer to attend this 5 day program. Students will stay on campus at State Technical College of Missouri and learn about career opportunities in a computer related field. Students will participate in leadership activites and attend field trips to area businesses. No computer experience is necessary. The application does require a teacher / counselor recommendation, so it is important that is requesed prior to the due date.
Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
The Missouri RYLA Academy is a 4-day, 3-night leadership academy for high school sophomores and juniors who exhibit a desire for community service. Developed by some of Missouri's top professional educators, the curriculum is designed to identify and enhance the qualities of servant leadership for each participant, educate them on how to successfully implement a service project, and inspire them to live a lifetime of "Service Above Self." In addition, participants are introduced to the programs and values Rotary has to offer. Established in 1992, Missouri RYLA Academy has educated and inspired more than 2,000 students statewide. It is currently recognized as a model program for RYLA Academies worldwide.
Click here for more information.
Glider Lehrman Scholarship Program
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is proud to partner with Hamilton on the Ham4Progress Award for Educational Advancement. The award supports college-bound high school juniors from communities that directly experience the consequences of social injustice and/or discrimination. This award will provide up to seventeen students $2,000 each for educational purposes in 2023. The $2,000 award must be used toward educational purposes, which may include
Test preparation courses
Tutoring
College visits
Technology, including laptops, tablets, or other electronic devices used for learning
The award is open to college-bound students currently enrolled in grade 11 in the 50 United States and District of Columbia. Students will be subject to the following eligibility requirements:
Be a member of a community that directly experiences the consequences of social injustice and/or discrimination
Be a college-bound high school junior
Have a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
Be enrolled in a school that is registered as a Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia
Please find the application and additional information here.
Pharmacy Camp
This is a one day camp for students interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy in various locations, including Mizzou, UMKC, and Missouri State University.
Take part in making actual medicine in the compounding lab
Hear from community pharmacists about their daily roles
Interact with clinical pharmacists in specialty practices such as oncology, pediatrics, cardiology, emergency room and more
Click here for the application and more information.
Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Conference
Started in 1995 as a program of the Show-Me STATE GAMES, the Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Program provides the opportunity for 30 high school rising juniors and seniors from around the state of Missouri, to visit the University of Missouri in Columbia and gain skills that will assist them in becoming leaders in their respective communities and schools. Sponsored by Audrey Walton, a great leader in her own right, the program promotes the importance of leadership, physical fitness, higher education, and a healthy lifestyle.
The conference lasts for two days and runs in conjunction with the Show-Me STATE GAMES Opening Ceremonies. The students have the opportunity to engage in several activities that encourage the students to step up and be leaders amongst themselves, along with the opportunity to learn leadership tactics to help them excel in their high schools, extracurricular activities, as well as in their respective communities.
The goal of the Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Program is to help every student build the confidence needed to successfully lead others while creating an enjoyable experience for attendees to share with their peers upon returning home.
Click here for more information.
Rankin Tech Adventure Academy
The Summer Adventure Academy program encourages middle and high school students to complete high school and further their education in a STEM-related discipline and ultimately join the technical workforce in their community by earning a STEM degree. These week-long summer camps promote STEM career exploration by providing outside the classroom educational experiences to raise students’ aspirations. The Summer Adventure Academies engage students in real-world, hands-on camps that demonstrate the skills necessary in STEM occupations. More than 2,000 students have participated in the program since 2010.
Click here for the website and registration links.
Click here for a brochure.
Pat Walker Missouri Public Affairs Academy
The Pat Walker Missouri Public Affairs Academy targets rising high school seniors who are interested in learning about community engagement, diverse perspectives, and leadership. Each summer the Academy brings talented high school students from throughout the state together to develop their understanding of public affairs. The Academy combines presentations by guest speakers with discussions, hands-on activities and service projects, and gives students the opportunity to learn from talented and accomplished political and community leaders in the state.
The MPAA has three main goals:
To help students understand their role as citizens working "for the greater good",
To provide a forum for discussion with distinguished speakers including community leaders, government officials, and university professors,
To provide students with the leadership skills necessary to become actively involved in their communities.