Teens Asked to Consider American Life for Cash

American high school students are asked to dance with the stars in a contest sponsored by the Washington, D.C. area-based Bill of Rights Institute.

OK, it's an intellectual dance and it's with the founding fathers of America, and the principles and documents that created a nation of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Deadline to email entries is December 15, a minute before midnight. Cash prizes.

History Channel provides the funding. Here's the info direct from its sponsors.

SPONSORING ORGANIZATION:  Bill of Rights Institute, Arlington, VA.

The Bill of Rights Institute, founded in 1999, is a nonprofit educational organization. The mission of the Bill of Rights Institute is to educate young people about the words and ideas of America's Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society.

FUNDING PROVIDED BY:  History Channel (New York City, NY).

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 our Founding 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 home-schooled, 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
JUDGES:  High school teachers

STUDENT CASH PRIZES:  Three cash prizes per region will be awarded to students:

First Prize:                             $1,000 each
Second Prize:                           $500 each
Third Prize:                              $250 each

TEACHER CASH PRIZES:  Cash prizes of $100 will be awarded to the teachers of all winning students:

CONTEST START DATE:  September 17, 2011

DEADLINE FOR ESSAY SUBMISSIONS:  December 15, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST. All essays must be submitted at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Submit.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED:  February 2012

WEB SITE AND CONTEST GUIDELINES:  www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Contest

Midwest region includes: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin.

Patch has no connection with this contest.