Essay Contest – The life and times of Andrew Carnegie!

This year, Andrew Carnegie would be 190 years young! He was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland. Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls which opened in 1902.

This contest is open to students who reside in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, regardless of the school or home-school that students’ attend. Students in grades K-2 are to create an original poster. Students in grades 3-12 are to submit an original essay. All work that is submitted is to be the student’s own work. AI generated submissions are not being accepted. The topic for each grade level band is different, but all revolve around the contributions that Andrew Carnegie made through his generosity and philanthropy.

The deadline for submissions is November 10, 2025. There are four grade level bands: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each band will be judged separately. The winners of each grade level band will be announced at our Novel Noel fundraiser on December 5, 2025. Students are not required to attend in order to win. Winners of each grade level band will receive: first place. $50; second place, $25; and third place, $15.