Calvin Dillies
Scholarship
Applications are due April 14, 2027
ABOUT CALVIN DILLIES
Calvin Dillies was born in Philadelphia and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He attended New Bedford Vocational School and became a licensed Master Electrician. Later in his life, Calvin and his wife, Loretta, and daughter Lyn moved to Westport, Massachusetts, where Lyn started her journey into magic. He couldn’t have been prouder or more supportive of Lyn’s career. Not only was he Lyn’s biggest fan, but his mechanical and electrical expertise was invaluable in helping Lyn with some of her very intricate illusions.
Throughout his life, Calvin was always very passionate about politics and ran many political campaigns. With his charismatic personality, he could have easily run for office himself. His friends always described him as being the real deal and that he never let anyone down. Being involved in politics, Calvin knew firsthand about the importance of voting and that every vote matters. He passed along his sense of civic responsibility to his daughter Lyn. Little did she realize just how much of an impact his beliefs would have on her career someday.
In 2005, Calvin lost his hard-fought battle to cancer. It was her father’s inspiration that sparked Lyn's idea for Your Vote Is Magic! in 2007. Lyn truly believes her father is still the guiding force in her mission to make a difference in young people’s lives with her powerful voting message. To honor his legacy, she has started the Calvin Dillies Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to the winner of the “What Voting Means To Me” Essay Contest for high school seniors.
WHAT VOTING MEANS TO ME ESSAY CONTEST
Are you a high school senior who attended a Your Vote Is Magic assembly? Share your perspective on the power and importance of voting for a chance to be recognized for your work.
In your essay, reflect on what it means to have the right to vote, the struggles and sacrifices that secured that right for generations of Americans, and the impact voting will have on your life and future. Essays should be between 750 and 1,000 words and include the name of your school.
A brief biography including your complete mailing address, telephone number, and email address must accompany your submission. This information will not be included in the essay word count.
Submission Requirements
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Open to high school seniors who attended a Your Vote Is Magic assembly
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Essay length: 750–1,000 words (excluding title)
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Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or similar font
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Submit as a Microsoft Word–compatible document
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Include the name of your school
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Include a brief biography with contact information
Deadline: April 14, 2027
All essays must be submitted online using the form below. We look forward to reading your reflections on the importance of voting and civic participation.