The 2025-2026 Rural Voices Youth Contest is now closed. Award announcements are expected to be made in April 2026.
About the Contest
Each year, the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) sponsors the Rural Voices Youth Contest to engage high school seniors in thoughtful reflection on rural Kansas. Since the contest began in 2006, more than $30,000 in awards have been given to students from the region.
2025-2026 Theme: “Rural Kansas…Tomorrow’s Possibilities”
High school seniors in North Central Kansas (within the NCRPC 12-county service area – including the counties of Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, and Washington) were invited to submit an original essay or video exploring this year’s theme:
Entries were to address the following:
Imagine you have the power to shape the future of rural Kansas. What could your hometown—or rural communities across the state—look like 5, 10, or 15 years from now? Through your eyes, values, and leadership, describe the role you hope to play in building a stronger, more vibrant rural Kansas. Whether through agriculture, technology, education, health care, community service, entrepreneurship, or creative innovation, what ideas or initiatives do you believe could bring lasting, positive change? Share your vision. Show us how you’ll lead.
Awards
- Two winners will each receive a $1,000 cash prize and the John R. Cyr Rural Voices Award. This award is named in tribute to John R. Cyr, who served as the Executive Director of NCRPC for 22 years.
- Winning entries will be published on the NCRPC website.
The Rural Voices Contest is sponsored by the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC). The NCRPC is committed to advancing rural Kansas through comprehensive planning and development services. Its primary service area includes 12 counties and 83 cities in North Central Kansas.
For questions about the contest, email communications@ncrpc.org or call 785-738-2218.
The NCRPC reserves the right to make no awards or partial awards based on the quality of the entries received.