NCSC essay contest on free speech open to students

Keywords Courts / First Amendment
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Indiana students in third grade and up are invited to participate in an essay contest in recognition of National Law Day on May 1.

The National Center for State Courts-sponsored writing contest will divide students into three groups of third through fifth graders, sixth through eighth graders and ninth through 12th graders. Entrants in each category must pen a 100-word essay in response to this year’s question, “Should there be limits to free speech? Why or why not?”

First, second and third place awards will be given for each group. High school winners will receive $500, $300 and $150, respectively. Middle school winners will receive $350, $200 and $100, respectively. Elementary school winners will receive $250, $150 and $100, respectively.

Winners will be selected by NCSC staff members and judges from across the country, who will review entries for “creativity, originality, overall quality and adherence to the theme.”

In 2018, three Hoosier students took home top prizes in the essay contest, writing about why the founding fathers created three branches of government. Raquel Atkins of Gary won the third through fifth grade division, while Seth Morris of Terre Haute took home the third place prize. In the high school division, Evansville student Randi Mincy was selected as the first place winner.

The deadline for entries is Feb. 22. More information, including contest rules, can be found here.

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