Arlington, VA – U.S. high school students and their teachers are invited to compete for nearly $200,000 in prize money by participating in the fourth annual Being an American Essay Contest. Top prize winners and their teachers will also receive all-expenses paid trips to the nation’s capital.
The largest high school essay contest in the country, awarding 180 students and teachers with cash prizes and attracting more than 31,000 essays last year, explores the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. The contest is administered by the Bill of Rights Institute, a non-profit educational organization in the Washington, D.C. area. The contest’s national sponsor is David H. Koch. Additional sponsors include Amway Global and the Jack Miller Family Foundation.
“This contest is unique in that it gives students the opportunity to share their thoughts about how the principles expressed in America’s Founding Documents shape and influence contemporary American citizenship,” said Bill of Rights Institute President Victoria Hughes. “This conversation is vital to preparing the next generation of voters and civic leaders for the challenges that are ahead of them and our country.” The contest begins September 17, 2009. All the details are at http://www.BeingAnAmerican.org
