The winners, one from Missouri and one from Kansas, will each receive a $2,000 scholarship. The winners will be awarded a certificate. Upon determination of a college or vocational school to be attended by the student, a $2,000 check will be sent to the school in the student’s name to be applied toward his/her tuition or general account.  

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Each student applicant must submit a typed essay of 750 to 1,000 words on the topic below. Do not include visual aids, graphics, or other supporting documents.

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2026 ESSAY TOPIC: 

Use of AI Technology in the Classroom - Overused or Not?

Most school administrators and teachers view the use of AI tools as part of student learning in their education as valuable. However, there are obvious concerns about the use of AI affecting students' academic integrity, their essential learning skills, and obtaining the emotional intelligence essential for learning life skills. Please begin your essay with how your teachers are utilizing AI in the classroom. Also address how you feel about your education being taught with the use of AI and whether or not you feel like these concerns are valid and why. Lastly, include whether there are policies in place at your school regarding the ways AI is used in the classroom and how often, if these policies are enforced, and if there needs to be changes/additions to these policies and your reasons why.

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must be a college-bound high school senior with good character and no criminal background.

2. He/she must be recommended, in writing, by at least two faculty members.

3. Each recommendation must state the student's accomplishments, grade average, class standing, activities, and the reasons he/she deserves the award.

4. Recommendations should be no longer than two typewritten pages each.​

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DEADLINE:

The essay, along with the faculty advisors' recommendations, and the application form should be mailed or emailed together in time to arrive at the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission's office no later than February 28, 2026.

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Winners will be notified by April 30, 2026. No telephone, written, electronic or any other means of "campaigning" for contestants will be allowed by entrants, faculty sponsors or any other person. Immediate family members of any Kansas City Crime Commission staff or board members are not eligible.