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Each year, the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) sponsors the Rural Voices Youth Contest to engage high school seniors in thoughtful reflection on rural Kansas. Since the contest began in 2006, more than $30,000 in awards have been given to students from the region.

2025-2026 Theme:  Rural Kansas Tomorrow鈥檚 Possibilities

High school seniors in North Central Kansas (within the NCRPC 12-county service area 鈥� including the counties of Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, and Washington) are invited to submit an original essay or video exploring this year鈥檚 theme:

Entries should address the following:

Imagine you have the power to shape the future of rural Kansas. What could your hometown鈥攐r rural communities across the state鈥攍ook like 5, 10, or 15 years from now? Through your eyes, values, and leadership, describe the role you hope to play in building a stronger, more vibrant rural Kansas. Whether through agriculture, technology, education, health care, community service, entrepreneurship, or creative innovation, what ideas or initiatives do you believe could bring lasting, positive change? Share your vision. Show us how you鈥檒l lead.

Awards

• Two winners will each receive a $1,000 cash prize and the John R. Cyr Rural Voices Award. This award is named in tribute to John R. Cyr, who served as the Executive Director of NCRPC for 22 years.
• Winning entries will be published on the NCRPC website.

Registration Form

A registration form must be completed and submitted by the contest deadline of February 3, 2026.

• The form is a fillable PDF and requires a signature. Signatures must be original, not digital.
• You may scan and email the signed form or print and mail it instructions are included on the form.
• A confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours of submission. If you do not receive one, please contact Lori Thielen at communications@ncrpc.org to verify receipt.

How to Enter and Official Rules

Written Entries

• Must reflect the contest theme. Refer to the theme description and prompt provided above.
• Minimum 1,000 words. The entry can be fiction or non-fiction. Entries that do not meet the minimum word count will not be considered. Note that the title and any works cited pages (if applicable) do not count toward the word total.
• Use 12-point font, double spacing, and 1-inch margins.
• Must be the student鈥檚 original work.
• Save as a PDF and email to ruralvoices@ncrpc.org.
  • Do not include your name in the document itself, but do include it in the filename (e.g., firstnamelastnameruralvoices.pdf).
• Submit the registration form by the deadline.

Video Entries

• Must reflect the contest theme. Refer to the theme description and prompt provided above.
• Must be between 3 to 5 minutes in length.
• Must be the student鈥檚 original work. If you choose to use music, ensure that it is not copyrighted and that you have written permission for any copyrighted music.
• Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and send the link to ruralvoices@ncrpc.org
• Submit the registration form by the deadline.

Official Rules

Contest Deadline: February 3, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)

All entries and registration forms must be received electronically by the deadline.

Tip: Keep a copy of your sent email for proof of submission in case of technical issues. Late entries without proof will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

The contest allows one entry per person.

Eligible: The contest is open to any high school senior who lives in and/or attends a public or private high school whose district falls within the 12-county NCPRC service area* 鈥� including the counties of Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline and Washington. Home-schooled students in this same area may also enter.

*A student is eligible to enter if any portion of their school district鈥檚 official boundaries falls within the 12-county NCRPC service area.

Not Eligible: NCRPC employees and their immediate family members may not participate.

The Rural Voices Contest is sponsored by the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC). The NCRPC is committed to advancing rural Kansas through comprehensive planning and development services. Its primary service area includes 12 counties and 83 cities in North Central Kansas.

For questions about the contest, email communications@ncrpc.org or call 785-738-2218.

The NCRPC reserves the right to make no awards or partial awards based on the quality of the entries received.