The Association for Career and Technical Education announced the topic for the Cliff Weiss Essay contest (held in the memory of former ACTE Senior Director of Communications Cliff Weiss (1951-2004). This year’s essay topic for secondary and postsecondary students is “What does this year’s theme, Learning Today, Earning Tomorrow, mean to you?”

In the essay, students should describe how learning career and technical education (CTE) today provides them with the skills and knowledge to be successful in their future career. ACTE will use the winning essays to inform policymakers, parents and educators about CTE’s role in preparing students to compete in the global economy.

The contest is open to high school and college/postsecondary students taking at least one course in CTE. The essays should be between 400-600 words, in Microsoft Word format, and e-mailed by Wednesday, February 16 to essaycontest@acteonline.org. Only one entry is allowed per person. A secondary and postsecondary student winner will each receive an award of $250 in addition to having their essay published on ACTE’s Web site.

For complete rules on the contest, please visit ACTE’s Cliff Weiss Essay Contest or contact Sabrina Kidwai at skidwai@acteonline.org. Winners will be announced at the end of February.