Student Contests
Each year, our CCLE student contests receive impressive entries from all over the country. Any student who attends a CCLE-accredited school or whose parent has CCLE household membership is eligible to enter. Contest winners receive a cash prize, a certificate of merit, and public recognition by the CCLE at our summer conference and on our website. The CCLE retains the right to publish winning entries with authorship attribution.
This year, the CCLE will sponsor a Penmanship & Calligraphy Contest, a Composition Contest, and a Recitation Contest. Use the online submission form below.
Here are some updates and reminders for 2026:
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The contest deadlines for this year will be midnight (Central Time) on:
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March 15, 2026 for Penmanship & Calligraphy
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April 15, 2026 for Composition
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May 15, 2026 for Recitation
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All students who submit entries must attend a CCLE-accredited school or the parents must have CCLE household membership.
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Students may participate at a higher age level if desired. Participation for students with special needs is also available.
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Failure to follow submission guidelines will result in disqualification.
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Questions regarding any of the contests should be directed to contests@ccle.org.
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Winners will be announced by CCLE social media and website (first name and last name initial), the conference program (full name), and any other CCLE print publications (full name). Contest entry assumes permission for the above.
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Contest entries must be original, unpublished work. The CCLE reserves the right to publish all submissions with authorship attribution.
Essay Composition 2026: Dialectic
Grand Prize: Colton S.
Teacher: Nancy Ingram
Faith Lutheran School, Plano TX
Runner Up: Evangeline B.
Teacher: Kari Bass
Bass Academy
Essay Composition 2026: Rhetoric
Grand Prize: Price M.
Teacher: Marie MacPherson
Family Altar Home School
Runner Up: Jake R.
Teacher: Nancy Ingram
Faith Lutheran School, Plano TX
Penmanship: Manuscript/Print 2026
Grand Prize: Print 4-5: Hannah C.
Teacher: Abby Leithart
Immanuel Lutheran School, Alexandria, VA
Runner Up: Print 4-5: Naomi M.
Teacher: Kim Bohot
Memorial Lutheran School Houston, TX
Grand Prize: Print 6-8: Simon V.
Teacher: Karen Gorr
Immanuel Lutheran School, Alexandria
Runner Up: Print 6-8: Mariah K.
Teacher: Karen Gorr
Immanuel Lutheran School, Alexandria
Penmanship: Cursive 2026
Grand Prize: Cursive 6-8: Rosemary H.
Teacher: Fiona Lacey
Immanuel Lutheran School, Alexandria, VA
Runner Up: Cursive 6-8: Ezra O.
Teacher: Nicole Boyle
Redeemer Classical School, Fort Wayne, IN
Grand Prize: Cursive 9-12: Ruby L.
Teacher: Tiffany Leigeber
All Saints Lutheran School, Jonesboro, AR
Runner Up: Cursive 9-12: Mary B.
Teacher: Angela Volquardsen
Peace Luther Academy, Sussex, WI
Grand: Cursive 13-15: Maria L.
Teacher: Tiffany Leigeber
All Saints Lutheran School, Jonesboro, AR
Runner Up: Cursive 13-15: Irene B.
Teacher: Rebekah Curtis
St Paul Lutheran School, Hamel, IL
Penmanship: Calligraphy 2026
Grand Prize: Black Lettering: Sarah B.
Teacher: Angela Volquardsen
Peace Luther Academy, Sussex, WI
Runner Up: Black Lettering: Edith H.
Teacher: Angela Volquardsen
Peace Luther Academy, Sussex, WI
Grand Prize: Illuminated: Grace C.
Teacher: Rev. Jocelyn Benson
Wittenberg Academy, Chatfield, MN
Runner Up: Illuminated: Norah S.
Teacher: Nathan Klumpp
Redeemer Classical School, Fort Wayne, IN
Latin Recitation 2026
Grand Prize: Grammar: Isaac R.
Teacher: Jacob Hopfensperger
Advent Lutheran School, Zionsville, IN
Grand Prize: Dialectic: Genevieve H.
Teacher: Shawn Duan
Immanuel Lutheran School, Alexandria, VA
Runner Up: Dialectic: Elijah L.
Teacher: Joshua Leigeberg
All Saints Lutheran School, Jonesboro, AR
English Recitation 2026
Grand Prize: Preschool: Mercy M.
Teacher: Marie MacPherson
Family Altar Homeschool
Runner Up: Preschool: Autumn R.
Teacher: Tyler Simpson
Wittenberg Academy, Chatfield, MN
Grand: Early Grammar: Lydia B.
Teacher: Kirsten Nus
Redeemer Classical School, Fort Wayne, IN
Runner Up: Early Grammar: Louise P.
Teacher: Elizabeth Robison
Our Savior Lutheran School, Houston, TX
Grand Prize: Grammar: Dana S.
Teacher: Adrienne Salinas
Triple C Home School
Runner Up: Grammar: Gatlyn R.
Teacher: Tyler Simpson
Wittenberg Academy, Chatfield, MN
Grand Prize: Dialectic: Coltyn R.
Teacher: Tyler Simpson
Wittenberg Academy, Chatfield, MN
Runner Up: Dialectic: Joy M.
Teacher: Marie MacPherson
Family Altar Homeschool, WY
Grand Prize: Rhetoric: Anna P.
Teacher: Kristi Pauling
Logos Academy
Runner Up: Rhetoric: Theodore B.
Teacher: Nathaniel Pullmann
Redeemer Classical School, Fort Wayne, IN