DEADLINE EXTENDED: Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll’s Portrait Essay Contest for Students
BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll are extending the deadline for their portrait essay contest until 11:59 pm on February 10, 2023 to allow time for more students to participate. Submission guidelines and instructions can be found here.
It’s a tradition that each new governor and lieutenant governor selects a portrait of a former Massachusetts governor to hang in their office at the State House. Governor Charlie Baker chose a portrait of Governor John Volpe, who served as Secretary of Transportation under President Nixon. Governor Deval Patrick chose Governor John A. Andrew, a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement.
Before they make their decisions, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll want to hear from our future leaders. They’re asking Massachusetts' students:
Which former Massachusetts governor inspires you the most and why should their portrait hang in the Governor or Lieutenant Governor’s office?
Essays should be less than 600 words and submitted by 11:59 PM on Friday, February 10, 2023. Essays should be the original work of the student and include at least 1-2 sentences about how they researched their chosen governor (read a book, searched online, learned about them in class, etc.).
Students must include the name of a nominating teacher with their submission. A nominating teacher should provide support and feedback before students submit the essay. A parent or legal guardian responsible for the instruction of home-schooled students may also serve as a nominating teacher.
Winners will be invited to the State House to meet with Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for an unveiling of their chosen portrait. All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation from the office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
Contact Digital Director Allison Mitchell at allison.p.mitchell@mass.gov with any questions.
Submission Requirements:
- Participants must be Massachusetts K-12 students
- Essays must be less than 600 words, with at least 1-2 sentences on how the student researched their chosen governor
- Students must be nominated by a teacher who has read and reviewed their essay
- Essays must be uploaded as a .pdf, .doc, or .docx
- Submissions are due by 11:59 PM on February 10, 2023
- Students will need a parent or legal guardian to complete the form below