Each year the Freedom Festival Essay Contest gives rise to expressions of patriotism from students in K-12th grades throughout the nation. This year's theme focuses on the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights*. Deadline is February 22. Students may choose to write about the purposes and applications of the First Amendment that may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may write on any concept or specific freedom included in the First Amendment such as the Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom to peacefully Assemble, and Freedom to Petition the Government. Students may also apply the First Amendment protections to current or historical situations and court cases.
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CONTEST PROCEDURE
- The Freedom Festival Essay Contest is open to ALL Students in grades K-12, whether in traditional public schools, public chartered schools, private schools, or home schools.
- All entries must be received no later than Feb 22.
- All submitted essays must include a completed Contest Entry. No personal or identifying information may appear on the essay itself. (No names, grades, teachers’ names or school names on the essays.)
- Winners will be notified by email when judging is completed. Original essays will not be returned.
Important Note
When filling out your Contest Entry Form, you will be asked to upload a file with your contest entry. At the very beginning of the form you will see the following notification:
“The name and photo associated with your Google account will be recorded when you upload files and submit this form. Not xxxxxxx@gmail.com? Switch account”
This is a security measure, implemented by Google, to make sure no one anonymously uploads files or other items that are not appropriate or safe. Because it is a Google security feature, the file uploads only works for Gmail users. If you have do not have a Gmail account, you will need to use a friend or relative’s account, or open a Gmail account for your file submission.
