Next week on July 4th, we will celebrate the 235th birthday of our country. What a great excuse to learn more about our Constitution with your children and help them win some great prizes.
In their second year, the website Constituting America (www.constitutingamerica.org) is holding a very special contest called their “We the People 9-17” Contest with all kinds of chances for your kids to win by creating something about the Constitution. The deadline for entries is July 4th.
The organization was founded by Janine Turner, most famous for her television and film roles, and Cathy Gillespie, a very experienced political thought leader in Washington, DC. The stated purpose of Constituting America is to “reach, educate and inform the youth and all citizens through modern technology and modern means, because we must not let those who devalue freedom dominate the debate.”
Winners will be announced on September 16th, the day before Constitution Day, September 17th, which falls on a Saturday this year. Elementary students to college students can enter. For the rules for each age group and entry, please check out their website at www.constitutingamerica.org. Parents will also be asked to sign a consent form as well for students under 18.
For elementary students (K-5), they can create a poem about “Why the Constitution is Important to Me” or a greeting card depicting a picture of the Constitution and why it’s important to the student (no text). Winners in each category will receive a $100 retail gift card.
For middle school students (6-8), they can create an original song about “What the United States Constitution Means to Me” and may team up with one other student. Or they can write an essay about “Why the United States Constitution is Relevant Today.” A $200 gift card will be awarded to each categories winner.
High school students (9-12) can collaborate with up to one other student and submit a short film (5-15 minutes) about “Why the United States Constitution is Relevant Today?” or a 60-second public service announcement about “Why Citizens Should Know their United States Constitution” or an original song about “Why the Constitution is Important to Me” or an essay, no longer than 850 words about “Why the Constitution is Relevant Today.” Each category winner will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship prize, among other prizes.
A new category was added this year for college students (age 17-24, currently enrolled and carrying at least 12 hours a semester). The categories are the same as high school with the exception of the essay. Instead, college students can write a speech up to 20 minutes long about “What Would Our Founding Fathers Think Today?” Winners from each category will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship prize, among other prizes.
Depending on the category, submissions can be sent to the following address and must be postmarked on or before July 4th:
Constituting America
We The People 9.17 Contest
P.O. Box 1988
Colleyville, Texas 76034
For full details, last year’s winners and other fabulous information about the Constitution and other founding documents, please visit www.constitutingamerica.org.
