Climate Cardinals
x ChallengeUS
Future Leaders
Competition
Winter 2025
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Contest Now Closed! Thank You to Everyone that Submitted!
Contest Results
This contest cycle is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted!
Winners
Grand Prize Winner (Best Overall)

Creative Writing Category Winner

Honorable Mentions
Zhansaya Turarbek, Kazakhstan
Sinenkhosi Dlamini, Eswatini
Yvonne Mhlanga, Zimbabwe
Analytical Writing Category Winner

Honorable Mentions
Beatriz Faria, Brazil
Emlyn Joseph, Saudi Arabia
Speech Category Winner

Honorable Mentions
Jess Stone,
Australia
Ritika Chowdhary, India
Art Category Winner

Honorable Mentions
Mansurbek Saporbayev,
Uzbekistan
Ayaulym Zhuzen, Kazakhstan
NOVEMBER 10
Contest Open
JANUARY 23
Contest Close
$500
Top Cash Prize
Prompt:
Share a key moment, lesson, observation, or analysis that has shaped how you approach climate action. How will you use these insights to pursue the climate goals you care about most?
Categories
Participants are welcomed and encouraged to submit entries to multiple categories (creative writing, analytical writing, speech, and art) in order to maximize chances at winning. However, winning contestants will only be awarded recognized in ONE category.
Creative Writing
Entries might include personal narratives, reflections, stories, poems, written speeches, memoirs, and other personal essays that address the prompt while showcasing the writer’s critical thinking, personal expression, and storytelling abilities. The emphasis is on originality, personal voice, and engaging the reader with thoughtful insight as well as emotional depth.
Analytical Writing
Entries might include argumentative essays, research papers, literature reviews, case studies, and other forms of academic writing that uses sources and citations to drive key insights. Submissions are expected to present well-researched, evidence-based essays that address the prompt. The emphasis is on logical reasoning, structured analysis, and the ability to support answers to the prompt with facts, examples, or data.
Speech
Entries might include any form of verbal speech or presentation submitted in a video form. Speakers are welcomed to use creative and/or analytical techniques in their speech submission. Visual aids are permitted but the emphasis will be on effective verbal communication while providing unique perspectives, ideas, and insights addressing the prompt.
Art
Entries might include drawings, paintings, digital artworks, photographs, mixed media pieces, cartoons, magazine covers and other forms of artistic media, whether digital or traditional. Submissions should be original works, be made with effort, and follow the prompt. The emphasis is on interpretation of theme, creativity, and demonstrated skill.