College and law school students with a passion for American history and the nation’s founding principles are encouraged to enter Constituting America’s “We the People 9*17 Contest.”
Constituting America, a nonprofit foundation founded in 2010 to get American citizens and youth excited and engaged about the U.S. Constitution, is offering cash prizes for original student speeches, songs, short films and public service announcements on the Constitution.
Through the contest, college and law school students nationwide are eligible to win a $2,000 prize. In addition to the cash prize, contest winners will receive a trip to Philadelphia and national exposure as “future leaders.”
Emily Keener, the 2011 winner of the “Best Song-Middle School” division, for example, performed her prizewinning song on the national television show “Huckabee,” accompanied by host Mike Huckabee and his band, The Little Rockers.
Constituting America founder and co-chair Janine Turner said this is the first year the contest has been extended to include law school students.
“After receiving so many wonderful entries through the K-12 and college contests, we wanted to give law school students an opportunity to think about the Constitution in fun and creative ways,” said Turner. “We hope students will seize this opportunity to share their thoughts on America’s founding principles through music, film, video and oratory.”
Turner added that the contest takes its name from September 17, the date in 1787 on which the Constitution was adopted.
Last year’s winning entries are available on the foundation website including a music video of “July 4, 1776.” Written by University of South Carolina student Amber Hodge, the song took top honors in last year’s “We the People 9*17 Contest” in the Best Song-College division.
The “We the People 9*17 Contest” is open to undergraduate college students ages 17-24 who are carrying at least 12 credits and are working toward a degree at a U.S. college or university or any student enrolled at a U.S. law school. For detailed information on the contest rules as well as specific constitutional themes addressed in each category, visit constitutingamerica.org.
Entries may be submitted to Constituting America, We the People 9*17 Contest, P.O. Box 1988, Colleyville, TX 76034. All entries must be postmarked by June 15.
