Lane County Student Essay Contest

TOPIC: Freedom of Speech

First place award $500
Second place award $250

Essay requirements: Students are asked to write a persuasive essay of approximately 800 words on the importance of freedom of speech. Essays should show awareness of hard won challenges to free speech rights and legal precedents involved, but are not meant to be either a "research” or "term" paper.

Judging: A panel made up of Lane County Chapter board members will read all papers, with each essay being read by at least three members. All phases of judging will be anonymous.

A committee comprised of Lane County notables will read the essays chosen as finalists and determine the first and second place winners.

Awards and Recognition: The first place winner will receive a cash prize of $500 and second place winner will receive $250.

In addition to the prize money the first place winning paper will be featured at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Lane County Chapter and the winner will be assisted in submitting his or her essay for publication as a guest opinion piece in the local newspapers.

Submission Deadline & Process
All essays need to arrive in the ACLU of Oregon office in written or electronic form by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2009. Please use the submission form provided.