Featured: On May 5, 2019, Sacramento area high school students read and defended their essays in response to this statement by President Barack Obama:
"We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it."
The ten finalists presented their essays at a contest finals dinner. The finalists answered questions about their essays from a distinguished panel of judges from the community, who then chose the First Place ($3,000 scholarship), Second Place ($2,500 scholarship), and Third Place ($2,000 scholarship) winners. Each of the other finalists received a $1,000 scholarship.