HBFoL Scholarship Program
Two $1,000 scholarships for Beach Cities high school writers.
Award
$1,000 per category
Categories
Creative Writing & Historical Research
Eligibility
Juniors & Seniors at Beach Cities High Schools
Deadline
April 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Turning The Page
Creative Writing
$1,000
Write an original fictional story in which a book, story, or act of reading changes the course of a person's life or a community. The South Bay, especially Hermosa Beach, should appear as a meaningful setting, influence, or character. Blending realism and imagination is encouraged.
Best for students who enjoy fiction, storytelling, and creative expression.
History & Heritage
Story of Community
$1,000
Write a research-based essay exploring a South Bay person, place, movement, or historical moment. Explain its relevance today and why it matters for community identity, democracy, or access to knowledge. Use at least one credible source beyond Wikipedia.
Best for students who enjoy research, history, and argumentative writing.
How To Enter
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
You qualify if you meet all three criteria:
You are a junior or senior in the 2025–2026 academic year
You attend a high school located in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach
You are not a family member of an HBFoL Board member, judge, or program administrator
Eligible schools include Mira Costa High School, Redondo Union High School, Patricia Dreizler Continuation High School, Fusion Academy South Bay, and other accredited high schools within these cities.
Step 2: Write Your Essay
Formatting Requirements:
500–750 words
Double-spaced
12-point readable font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri)
1-inch margins
Save as PDF
Important:
Include a title at the top
Do NOT include your name anywhere in the document
History & Heritage essays: include a source list at the end (does not count toward word limit)
Step 3: Submit
Digital Submission (Preferred) Complete the online form and upload your essay as a PDF.
SUBMIT ONLINE
Digital submissions close at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 3, 2026.
Physical Submission Print your essay and complete a paper submission form (available at the HBFoL Bookstore). Place both in a sealed envelope and deliver or mail to:
HBFoL Bookstore 701 11th Place Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Or mail to: Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library PO Box 515 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Physical submissions must be received or postmarked by April 3, 2026.
Timeline
February 3, 2026
Submissions open
April 3, 2026
Deadline
April 4 - 11, 2026
Eligibility and formatting review
April 12 - May 14, 2026
Judging period
May 15, 2026
Winners announced
Judging
Turning the Page essays are scored on:
Originality and Voice
Narrative Craft (character, setting, structure)
Emotional Impact and Resonance
Connection to Reading, Learning, Curiosity, or Community
History & Heritage essays are scored on:
Historical Accuracy and Use of Sources
Clarity, Structure, and Argument
Insightfulness and Contemporary Relevance
Independent Thinking and Depth of Analysis
All decisions are final. HBFoL does not provide individual feedback or score reviews.
Three to five judges evaluate each category. The panel includes retired teachers, published authors, editors, and librarians. All submissions are anonymized before review.
If You Win
Award
$1,000, deposited into a 529 college savings plan or paid directly to you for educational expenses.
Recognition
You choose whether to be recognized publicly or remain anonymous. Public winners are photographed at the HBFoL Bookstore and featured on Instagram (@hermosabeachfol).
Publication
With your permission, HBFoL shares winning essays for community engagement.
Documents
Step-by-step guide with formatting checklist
Complete program terms and conditions
For physical submissions only
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Each applicant submits to one category only. If you submit to both, your second submission is disqualified.
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No. Eligibility is based on your school's location, not your home address. Your high school must be physically located in one of the three Beach Cities.
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You can use AI for brainstorming, grammar checking, or feedback. You cannot use AI to write sentences, paragraphs, or sections of your essay. The final writing must be your own. Undisclosed AI-generated content results in disqualification.
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Essays must be 500–750 words. Submissions outside this range may be disqualified. For History & Heritage essays, the source list does not count toward the word limit.
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Judges review anonymized submissions. Your name is removed before judging to ensure fair evaluation. Include your name only on the submission form, not in the essay document.
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Books, academic articles, newspaper archives, museum records, government documents, and interviews with primary sources all qualify. Wikipedia does not count as your primary source, but you can use it to find other sources.
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HBFoL provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with documented accessibility needs. Contact scholarship@hbfol.org before the deadline to discuss options.
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Winners are announced June 5, 2026. HBFoL contacts winners directly before any public announcement.
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You choose: deposit into an existing 529 college savings plan or direct payment to you for educational expenses.
Contact
scholarship@hbfol.org
Phone
(310) 776-5354
@hermosabeachfol
Bookstore
701 11th Place, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
About HBFoL
The Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting literacy, education, culture, and community since 1959. The Scholarship Program advances our mission by supporting the next generation of Beach Cities writers and thinkers.