America & Me Essay Contest

Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan is pleased to announce the 10 statewide winners of the 2024-’25 America & Me Essay Contest. As “Michigan’s Insurance Company”, we proudly salute these outstanding Michigan students. This year’s winners competed against more than 3,000 other students from nearly 200 Michigan junior highs and middle schools.

The student essays for this, the 56th annual contest, were based on the topic, "My Personal Michigan Hero." The final ranking of the winners was determined by a panel of judges comprised of Farm Bureau Insurance’s CEO Don Simon; Contest Founder Jack Stucko, and two teachers from a top 10 statewide school winner from the 2023-‘24 contest year.

The America & Me Essay Contest was founded by Farm Bureau Insurance in 1968 to embolden Michigan youth as they explore their roles in America's future. Since then, we have shifted our focus slightly to encourage students to write about their personal Michigan heroes—someone they know personally who encouraged and inspired them to live better and achieve more. Since its inception, over 500,000 Michigan 8th graders have participated in the contest.

During our 56th contest year, this year’s recipients will each receive a plaque, medallion, a cash award of $1,000, $1,000 for the school they attend, and $500 to the school if the school has been sponsored by a Farm Bureau Insurance agent.

As part of this annual recognition, an awards banquet will be held in Lansing on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. In addition, finalists will meet with state government leaders, be honored at Jackson Field as special guests at a Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball game, and enjoy a luncheon and award banquet at the Farm Bureau Center Corporate Office.

The statewide winners from this contest year, their final rankings, and the name of students’ respective schools are listed below. Two of the schools were sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance agent, who is also listed.