Hidden Heroes Society
Hidden Heroes Writing Contest
Student perspectives on health, courage, care, and community.
The Hidden Heroes Writing Contest invites students to reflect on meaningful issues, experiences, and ideas related to health and the human side of healthcare. Choose one of the prompts below and share your perspective in your own voice.
Choose Your Prompt
Select one prompt when completing the entry form below.
1. What does being a “Hidden Hero” mean to you?
Who are the people whose courage, compassion, service, or perseverance often goes unnoticed, and why do they matter?
Who are the people whose courage, compassion, service, or perseverance often goes unnoticed, and why do they matter?
2. How can a serious illness affect not only a patient, but also a family or community?
3. What is one thing you wish more people understood about living with illness or disability?
4. How can young people make a meaningful difference in healthcare or patient support?
5. What role should compassion play in medicine and healthcare?
6. How can technology improve the lives of patients, caregivers, seniors, or people with disabilities?
7. What health challenge deserves more attention, and why?
8. What does courage look like in the face of a health challenge, and what gives people hope during difficult health journeys?
9. Write about someone you consider a hero because of the way they have faced, supported, treated, researched, or advocated around a health challenge. What makes their impact meaningful to you?
10. Open Topic: Write about another health-related issue, experience, or idea that connects with the mission of Hidden Heroes Society.
Eligibility
Open to middle school and high school students.
- Middle School Division
- High School Division
One submission per student.
Essay Guidelines
250–500 words
- Original work written in the student’s own voice
- Respond to one listed prompt
- Personal essays, reflections, narratives, and thoughtful opinion pieces are welcome
- Connect to health, healthcare, caregiving, disability, service, advocacy, or the HHS mission
Important Dates
Contest OpensOctober 15, 2026
Submission DeadlineJanuary 31, 2027
Finalists AnnouncedMarch 15, 2027
Winners AnnouncedMay 1, 2027
How Essays Will Be Judged
- Originality and insight
- Thoughtfulness
- Connection to the selected prompt and HHS mission
- Quality of storytelling or ideas
- Clarity and organization
- Overall impact
Grammar and technical writing mechanics are not the primary focus.
Recognition
- Winners and finalists in each division
- Winning essays featured on the HHS website
- Recognition through HHS communications and social media
- Certificate of recognition
- Recognition at an HHS event, when applicable
- Additional prizes or scholarships may be announced separately
Essay Submission Form
Past Winners
Our first Hidden Heroes Writing Contest is coming soon. Winning essays will be featured here.