U.S. high school students and their teachers are invited to participate in the Bill of Rights Institute’s sixth annual Being an American Essay Contest.
The largest contest of its kind in the country, the Being an American Essay Contest explores the Founding principles outlined in the Constitution.
The contest is administered by the Bill of Rights Institute, a non-profit educational organization in the Washington, D.C.
area devoted to educating young people about the Constitution and Founding principles. The 2011-2012 contest is sponsored by the History Channel.
The top three studentwinners from each of the five geographical regions will be awarded cash prizes of $1,000 (1st), $500 (2nd), and $250 (3rd). Teacher sponsors for each student winner will also receive a cash prize of $100.
Over 80,000 students have participated in the essay contest since it began in 2006.
Contest goal:
◊To help promote dialogue among students and teachers about American Founding principles. The Essay Contest serves as a key part of the Bill of Rights Institute’s mission to educate young people about the words and ideas of America’s Founders, the liberties guaranteed in ourFounding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society.
Essay question:
◊“How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?”
Eligibility:
◊Students in grades 9-12 who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and are either attending public, private, religious, or charter schools, being homeschooled or participating in a GED or correspondence school program, but are no older than 19 years of age.
Military bases and U.S. territories are also invited to participate.
Essay length:
◊No more 1,000 words.
Judging criteria:
◊Adherence to essay question
◊Originality
◊Organization
◊Writing style
◊Depth of analysis
High school teachers will be judging the essays. The contest started Sept. 17, and it ends Dec.
15, at 11:59 p.m. PST. All essays must be submitted at www.BillofRightsInstitute. org/Submit. Winners will be announced in February 2012.
Further information, including submission criteria, lesson plans and background information are available at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Contest.
School, Pages 12 on 10/12/2011