Kansans of all ages who love history are encouraged to express that interest in the two essay contests presented by Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas. The cash prizes have increased in both contests this year. Winners will be announced and recognized as part of the 102nd annual meeting of Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas in Topeka on Friday, January 31, 2020.

The annual Olive Ann Beech Kansas Factual Story Contest, sponsored by Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas, was begun in 1931 to encourage preserving factual, unpublished happenings and anecdotes from today and yesterday. The contest is open to everyone, one entry per person. Stories must be true and unpublished, take place in Kansas, and limited to 750 words. Entries are submitted electronically via email by 5 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2019, to Cindy Stillings, Kansas Historical Foundation, kshs.membership@ks.gov. Submissions should use “Beech Memorial Contest” in the subject line, and include the author’s name, mailing address, and phone number.

This essay contest is named for aviation’s Olive Ann Beech, of Wichita, who provided essay contest winners with cash awards for more than 30 years. The Beech essay contest cash awards are: first place, $300; second place, $250; third place, $150; and $100 each for two honorable mentions. Entries will be judged on quality of writing and interesting anecdotal stories of Kansas.

The Mamie Boyd Kansas! Say It Above a Whisper Contest, sponsored by Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas, began in 1936 as a way for students to celebrate and express pride in the state. The contest is open to Kansas students in eighth through 12th grades, one entry per person, and limited to 250 words. Entries are submitted electronically via email by 5 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2019, to Cindy Stillings, Kansas Historical Foundation, kshs.membership@ks.gov. Submissions should use “Boyd Essay Contest” in the subject line, and include the author’s name, school, grade, mailing address, and phone number.

Kansas newspaperwoman Mamie Boyd coined the phrase used for the contest title. The Boyd essay contest cash awards are: first place, $300; second place, $250; third place, $150; and $100 each for two honorable mentions. Past essays have described interesting and strong-hearted Kansans, the state’s vast grain crops and grasslands, diversities in population, and the emotions and pride called to mind by the state’s unique beauty. Entries will be judged on quality of writing, originality, creativity, and sincerity in expressing pride in the state of Kansas.