FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Constituting America invites college, law school students to enter ‘We the People 9*17 Contest’
Foundation offers cash prizes for original student speeches, songs, short films and public service announcements on the U.S. Constitution
College and law school students with a passion for American history and our nation’s founding principles are encouraged to enter the “We the People 9*17 Contest,” the non-profit foundation Constituting America announced today.
Through the contest, college and law school students across America are eligible to win a $2,000 prize by creating an original song, short film, public service announcement or speech addressing a variety of topics related to the U.S. Constitution. 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 TV show Huckabee, accompanied by host Mike Huckabee himself and his band, The Little Rockers: http://vimeo.com/30993023.
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, who noted that the contest takes its name from September 17, the date in 1787 on which the Constitution was adopted. “We hope students will seize this opportunity to share their thoughts on America’s founding principles through music, film, video and oratory.”
Last year’s winning entries are available on the foundation website at www.constitutingamerica.org, including a music video of “July 4, 1776”: http://vimeo.com/34157064. 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 the specific constitutional themes to be addressed in each category, visit www.constititutingamerica.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, 2012.
A non-profit foundation, Constituting America was founded in 2010 with an ambitious mission: to get America’s citizens and youth excited and engaged about the U.S. Constitution. Founded by acclaimed actress and radio show host Janine Turner (Northern Exposure, Friday Night Lights) and co-chaired by grassroots organizer Cathy Gillespie, this innovative non-profit campaign offers teachers, students and citizens a wide of variety of resources for learning more about America’s founding principles. For more information, visit www.constitutingamerica.org.
