HBFoL Scholarship Program - History & Heritage Story of Community (Historical Research)

HBFoL Scholarship Program - History & Heritage Story of Community

Geographic Scope: Beach Cities (Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach), California; focus on South Bay history

Category: Historical Research

Write a research-based essay exploring a South Bay person, place, movement, or historical moment. Explain its relevance today and why it matters for community identity, democracy, or access to knowledge. Use at least one credible source beyond Wikipedia. Best for students who enjoy research, history, and argumentative writing.

Eligibility

• Applicant Type: Juniors & Seniors in 2025-2026 academic year
• School Location: Must attend high school in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach
• Eligible Schools: Mira Costa High School, Redondo Union High School, Patricia Dreizler Continuation High School, Fusion Academy South Bay, and other accredited high schools within these cities
• Residency: Do NOT need to live in Beach Cities; only school location matters
• Exclusions: Not a family member of HBFoL Board member, judge, or program administrator
• Sources: Must use at least one credible source beyond Wikipedia. Credible sources include: books, academic articles, newspaper archives, museum records, government documents, and interviews with primary sources. Wikipedia can be used to find other sources but does not count as your primary source.
• AI Usage: Can use AI for brainstorming, grammar checking, or feedback. Cannot use AI to write sentences, paragraphs, or sections. Final writing must be your own. Undisclosed AI-generated content results in disqualification.

Judging Criteria

History & Heritage essays are scored on:

• Historical Accuracy and Use of Sources
• Clarity, Structure, and Argument
• Insightfulness and Contemporary Relevance
• Independent Thinking and Depth of Analysis

Judges: Three to five judges evaluate each category, including retired teachers, published authors, editors, and librarians. All submissions are anonymized before review. All decisions are final. HBFoL does not provide individual feedback or score reviews.

Award Distribution

• Payment Options: $1,000 deposited into a 529 college savings plan or paid directly to you for educational expenses
• Recognition: Winners are photographed at the HBFoL Bookstore and featured on Instagram (@hermosabeachfol). You choose whether to be recognized publicly or remain anonymous.
• Publication: With your permission, HBFoL shares winning essays for community engagement.

Contact Information

• Email: scholarship@hbfol.org
• Phone: (310) 776-5354
• Instagram: @hermosabeachfol
• Bookstore Address: 701 11th Place, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
• Hours: Tuesday 10am-2pm, Wednesday 5pm-7pm, Friday 10am-2pm, Saturday 10am-2pm

Timeline (2026)

• February 3: Submissions open
• April 3: Deadline (11:59 p.m. PST)
• April 4-11: Eligibility and formatting review
• April 12 - May 14: Judging period
• May 15: Winners announced

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

You qualify if you meet all three criteria:

• You are a junior or senior in the 2025–2026 academic year
• You attend a high school located in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach
• You are not a family member of an HBFoL Board member, judge, or program administrator

Step 2: Write Your Essay

Formatting Requirements:

• 500–750 words (source list does not count toward word limit)
• Double-spaced
• 12-point readable font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri)
• 1-inch margins
• Save as PDF
• Include a title at the top
• Do NOT include your name anywhere in the document
• Include a source list at the end (does not count toward word limit)

Essay Prompt (History & Heritage):
Write a research-based essay exploring a South Bay person, place, movement, or historical moment. Explain its relevance today and why it matters for community identity, democracy, or access to knowledge. Use at least one credible source beyond Wikipedia.

Source Requirements:

• Minimum one credible source beyond Wikipedia
• Credible sources include: books, academic articles, newspaper archives, museum records, government documents, and interviews with primary sources
• Include source list at end of essay

Step 3: Submit

Digital Submission (Preferred):

• Complete the online form and upload your essay as a PDF
• Digital submissions close at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 3, 2026
• File Naming Convention: [HH], [YYYY-MM-DD], [NAME OF ESSAY]
  • Example: HH, February 5, 2026, A Hermosa History

Physical Submission:

• Print your essay and complete a paper submission form (available at the HBFoL Bookstore)
• Place both in a sealed envelope and deliver or mail to:
  • HBFoL Bookstore, 701 11th Place, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
  • OR Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library, PO Box 515, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
• Physical submissions must be received or postmarked by April 3, 2026

Important Notes:

• Submissions that do not follow the naming convention may be returned or rejected
• Essays outside the 500-750 word range (not including source list) may be disqualified
• Do not include your name in the essay document; include it only on the submission form
• Each applicant submits to one category only; submitting to both results in disqualification of the second submission

Required Materials:

• Completed submission form (online or paper)
• Essay as PDF following all formatting requirements
• Source list at end of essay
• Title page with essay title (no author name)

Submission Materials Available:

• Instructions for Students (PDF)
• Official Rules (PDF)
• Paper Submission Form (PDF)