Students Invited to Participate in Bill of Rights Essay Contest

Need $1,000 and love America? The Bill of Rights Institute is accepting submissions for the annual "Being an American Essay Contest". The contest, sponsored by the History Channel, asks for a 1,000 word-or-less essay on this question: “How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?” 

More than 80,000 students have participated in the essay contest since it began in 2006. First prize is $1,000, followed by $500 for second and $250 for third. Teacher sponsors of student winners win $100.

Judging is based on: 

• Adherence to the essay question
• Originality
• Organization
• Writing style
• Depth of analysis

“This contest is unique in that it gives students the opportunity to think about the important Founding principles communicated in our Constitution,” said Dr. Jason Ross, Bill of Rights Institute Vice President of Education Programs. “This context is vital to helping students see their Founding principles as a meaningful part of the American experiment of self-government.” 

The submission deadline is December 15 at 11:59 p.m. PST. All essays must be sent to www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Submit. Winners will be announced in February. 

“We are pleased to support the Bill of Rights Institute’s Being an American Essay Contest,” said Libby O'Connell, senior vice president of Corporate Outreach and Chief Historian for History Channel, in a statement. "The contest encourages students to think critically and truly makes the past relevant in their lives today."