Postmark Deadline for Essay Contest

Date/Time
Fri, 3/6/20
All Day
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High school juniors and seniors interested in applying for the essay contest must mail their essay (between 800-1,200 words), the registration form and the essay adviser form to BJC, postmarked by March 6, 2020.

Description
The annual Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest engages high school students in church-state issues by directing them to express a point of view on a religious liberty topic.

THE TOPIC FOR 2020

“Several state legislators have introduced bills requiring ‘In God We Trust’ to be displayed prominently in public elementary and secondary schools. These bills encourage placement of the motto in high traffic areas, such as cafeterias and libraries.

Write an essay in the form of a letter to your state representative, encouraging them to adopt or oppose legislation mandating the prominent placement of ‘In God We Trust’ in public schools. Your essay should support your stance, explain whether the proposal violates the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment, and show how such legislation would impact all students and faculty, both religious and nonreligious.”

Essays are judged on the depth of their content, mastery of the topic and the skill with which they are written.

The grand prize is a $2,000 scholarship and a trip for two to Washington, D.C. Prizes of $1,000 and $500 are also available.

Additional details and registration forms are available here. The essay, registration form, and essay adviser form must be postmarked by March 6 and sent to:
BJC Essay Contest
200 Maryland Ave., N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002

For questions, contact BJC Director of Education Charles Watson Jr. at [email protected].