High School Senior Essay Scholarship Contest

  1. Previous Years

High school seniors who live in Bastrop or Lee County are invited to submit an original essay on water issues that shape our communities.


Submission deadline: November 27, 2026

Winners announced: December 9, 2026

Recognition: At the LPGCD Public Board Meeting on December 16, 2026

Awards

  • First Place: $500 scholarship

  • Second Place: $300 scholarship

  • Third Place: $200 scholarship

2026 Essay Prompts

  1. If I Were in Charge: If you were responsible for managing groundwater in Bastrop and Lee Counties over the next 25 years, what would your priorities be? Explain the challenges you would address and the actions you would take to protect and conserve our groundwater resources. 
  2. Imagine the Impossible: Imagine a breakthrough technology completely changes how Texans use and conserve water. Describe the technology, how it works, and how it changes life in your community over the next 25 years.
  3. Know Your Water. Know Your Well:Knowing where our water comes from is the first step toward protecting it. As Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District celebrates 25 years of serving Bastrop and Lee Counties, imagine the next 25 years. How can education and a better understanding of groundwater help shape a stronger water future for our communities? 


How to Submit

  1. Choose one prompt
  2. Write your essay following the guidelines below
  3. Email PDF to cmarks@lostpineswater.org

Guidelines

Length: 500–1,000 words
Format:

  • Typed, double-spaced

  • Times New Roman, 12-point font

  • 1-inch margins on all sides

Cover page must include:

  • Essay title

  • Student’s name

  • School and grade

  • Contact email

  • Contact phone number

File type and submission:

  • Submit as a PDF

  • Email to cmarks@lostpineswater.org by November 27, 2026

  • Subject line: Essay Contest – [Your Last Name], [School]

Original work only:

  • Essays must be student-authored original work.

  • Plagiarism or AI authorship will result in disqualification. You may use ChatGPT or other AI only for brainstorming. Do not use AI to write or rewrite your essay. Submissions will be checked for AI use.

References:

  • Cite sources in MLA or APA format.

  • The reference page does not count toward the word total.