National essay competition seeks Fort Scott student writers

Thursday, November 13, 2008
Local students who choose to participate in the "Being an American" essay competition, sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute, have the opportunity to win up to $5,000 Rayma Silvers/ Tribune Photo

Students from area high schools could earn cash prizes in addition to a trip to the nation's capital by entering a writing contest created to explore the rights and responsibilities of being American citizens, in addition to the civic values which unite Americans.

The "Being an American" essay competition, which is sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute located in Arlington, Va., is open to high school students in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, according to a press release about the contest. This is the first year the contest has been available to students in Kansas, and anyone wishing to participate in the competition must submit his or her entry by Dec. 1.

Students who earn a first place status will receive $5,000; second place winners will receive $2,500; and third place winners will receive $1,250. In addition, first, second and third place winners from each region, their teachers, and a guardian will be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend the Awards Gala on March 31, 2009. The contest will also award $250 to several students who achieve an honorable mention status.

Kansas students who are eligible to enter the contest must be in grades 9 -12 and be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. The contest is open to students in public schools, private schools, religious schools, charter schools and home schools. Students who are participating in a GED or correspondence school program and are 19 years of age or younger are also eligible to submit a contest entry.

Students who wish to participate in the writing competition are asked to write an original essay no longer than 750 words which explains the civic value the student believes is most essential to being an American, according to the contest's Web site, www.beinganamerican.org.

"What civic value do you believe is most important to being an American," the Web site said. "Trace the enduring importance of this value throughout the American story by discussing: a Founding document that reflects this value; a figure from American history who embodies this value; and ways you can personally put this value into practice."

According to the press release, successful entries will adhere to the essay guidelines, maintain a sense of originality, be well organized, have a solid writing style, and contain depth of analysis.

Additional information about the essay contest, including complete contest rules, submission details and guidelines, lesson plans and background information on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Founding Fathers, and other Americans who have contributed to America's shared civic values, are available at www.BeingAnAmerican.org, the press release said.

Funding for the contest is provided by the John Templeton Foundation, West Conshohocken (Philadelphia), PA; Stuart Family Foundation, Lake Forest, Ill., and The History Channel.