Pop Culture Based Contests: A Guide for Teens
Understanding Scholarship Essays
When it comes to scholarship essays, students are often tasked with writing about an obstacle they overcame or a dream for their future. It’s a daunting task for many, as it can be challenging to convey passion and creativity within a specified word count.
Beyond Traditional Scholarship Essays
What if students could snag some extra cash by sharing their love for Sabrina Carpenter, ideas for spicing up "Love Island", or vision for the future of "The Bear"?
Bold.org’s Unconventional Approach
Thankfully, bold.org is taking a different approach with their scholarship contests. Through July 2025, fans of the Chicago-based FX show "The Bear" can submit 200 to 600 words describing their perfect ending to the Emmy- and Golden Globe award-winning series. This innovative approach has made its debut with a $500 "Bear Fan Scholarship."
Eligibility and Deadline
The scholarship is open to high school and college students at any level with any GPA, and entries are accepted online each month on a rolling basis. The next deadline is September 30.
A Company Built on Social Media
The fully remote bold.org scholarship company was started in 2019 by founders based in Colorado, Florida, and Puerto Rico. In addition to creating its own custom scholarships, the company assists donors with developing their own awards. It also provides students with free access to a database of thousands of scholarships.
Conceiving the "Bear Fan Scholarship"
Social media team lead Penelope Gregory, based in Chicago, conceived the "Bear Fan Scholarship".
"I like to keep in touch with what is trending," she said. "I definitely felt like ‘The Bear’ is something that I was seeing a lot on social media. And there was the Emmys, where it set records."
A Castaway of Characters and Celebrities
Gregory said the small staff at bold.org was "captivated" by the show. "Even in our company meetings, everyone said they were watching it, and we saw how deeply it resonated with audiences. The storylines, the characters, and especially the celebrity stardom of Jeremy Allen White is something that we felt our fans and our students would really resonate with."
From Basketball to Video Games and More
Gregory noted that bold.org doesn’t have any other Chicago-related scholarships at the moment but suggested that students who are fans of the Chicago Bulls and video games might be a good fit for the "NBA 2K25 Fan" scholarship, which doesn’t require an essay.
Additional Partnerships
Gregory also said bold.org would be interested in adding professional athletes from Chicago to its current list of celebrity partners who collaborate on scholarships.
Scholarship Tally
Since its inception, bold.org has given out nearly $10 million in scholarships. And so far, the company has received hundreds of entries for the Bear Fan Scholarship.
Selecting the Perfect Ending
The winner will be selected based on passion, creativity, and storytelling, Gregory said.
"I know it’s cheesy, but for everyone to be happy, that’s the best ending," she said. "It’s a pretty stressful show sometimes, so a nice, blissful ending would be great."
Conclusion
Whether you’re a fan of pop culture or simply a lover of words, there’s no denying the innovative approach taken by bold.org with their "Bear Fan Scholarship". This opportunity opens up a new avenue for students to showcase their skills, creativity, and dedication, while also sharing their love for the show that resonates with them. Take a chance and test your writing skills!
FAQs
What is the purpose of the "Bear Fan Scholarship"
The scholarship aims to reward students who are fans of the Chicago-based FX show "The Bear", giving them a chance to express their passion and creativity in a unique way.
What is the essay submission deadline for the scholarship?
The next submission deadline is September 30. Entries are accepted online each month on a rolling basis.
Is GPA a requirement for the "Bear Fan Scholarship"?
No, GPA is not a requirement for the "Bear Fan Scholarship". Eligible students include high school and college students at any level.
What should students write about in the essay?
Students are encouraged to write about their perfect ending to the FX show "The Bear".
Will there be another opportunity for Chicago-related scholarships?
Bold.org hinted that they would be open to adding professional athletes from Chicago to their current list of celebrity partners who collaborate on scholarships, but the timing is unclear. Students should keep an eye out for future opportunities.
