FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cherilyn Crowe: 202-544-4226 [email protected]
WASHINGTON—The Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee announces its 7th annual Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest, open to all high school students in the graduating classes of 2012 and 2013. This year’s contest asks students to examine the role of religion in presidential campaigns.
The scholarship contest offers a grand prize of $1,000 and airfare and lodging for two to Washington, D.C. Second prize is $500, and third prize is $100.
Click here to read more about the contest.
Click here to go directly to the contest website.
Students can enter the contest by writing an essay addressing the following:
The religious beliefs and affiliations of presidential candidates often become campaign issues. Is that fair? Should presidential candidates talk about their religious beliefs? Are there certain religion-related questions each candidate should or should not have to answer? In an essay, examine the role religion should play during a presidential campaign.
Students must use and cite sources in their essays, such as the U.S. Constitution and news articles.
Essays must be between 800-1,200 words, and they must be mailed – along with registration forms – and postmarked by March 15, 2012, to be eligible. Contest entry forms are available online at www.BJConline.org/contest.
Winners will be announced in the summer of 2012, and the grand prize winner will be recognized at the BJC board meeting in Washington, D.C., in October 2012.
Essays will be judged on the depth of their content, the mastery of the topic, and the skill with which they are written. Students should develop a point of view on the issue and demonstrate critical thinking, using appropriate examples, reasons and other evidence to support their position.
Visit www.BJConline.org/contest for complete contest rules. If you have questions, contact Cherilyn Crowe at 202-544-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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The Baptist Joint Committee is a 75-year-old, Washington, D.C.-based religious liberty organization that works to defend and extend God-given religious liberty for all, bringing a uniquely Baptist witness to the principle that religion must be freely exercised, neither advanced nor inhibited by government.
