On The Front Lines
The Rutherford Institute and AXA Liberty Bowl Sponsor 2003 First Amendment Essay Contest for High School Juniors, Seniors
Chance to Win College Scholarship, National Recognition at 2003 Liberty Bowl Football Classic GameCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- As part of a larger effort to raise student awareness about the freedoms that have made America great, The Rutherford Institute and AXA Liberty Bowl are proud to announce their sponsorship of the 2003 First Amendment Essay Contest. This year's essay topic invites entrants to explain, in 500-750 words, the significance of one of the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and describe how the United States would be different today if that freedom had not been guaranteed. The grand prize winner will receive a $500 College Scholarship, four VIP ticket packages to the AXA Liberty Bowl Football Classic Game and events during the bowl week, publication of his or her essay and national recognition during the game.
The contest is open to juniors and seniors who are enrolled in public or private secondary schools or a course of home instruction in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Each student who submits a completed application and essay before October 17, 2003, will receive one ticket to the 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl Football Classic, courtesy of the AXA Liberty Bowl and a pocket-sized Constitution of the United States of America, courtesy of The Rutherford Institute. A committee from The Rutherford Institute will select one winner from each of the contest states, to produce a total of eight contest finalists. A blue-ribbon panel of judges will choose one grand prize winner from among the state finalists. Winners will be announced at the bowl game in Memphis, Tenn.
Founded in 1982 by constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead, The Rutherford Institute is a civil liberties organization that provides legal services at no charge to people whose constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated. Celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, the AXA Liberty Bowl is college football's seventh oldest bowl game. Founded on the principles of liberty, patriotism and freedom, the annual game strives to celebrate those American ideals each year. The bowl game, which will feature the championship teams from Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference, will be televised nationally on December 31, 2003, at 2:30 p.m., CST, on ESPN.
"We hope high school students will take this opportunity to exercise their First Amendment rights and participate in this national dialogue about what the First Amendment means to them," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. Steve Ehrhart, Executive Director of the AXA Liberty Bowl, added, "We look forward to hosting and honoring some of the best and brightest students America has to offer at the AXA Liberty Bowl, one of our country's great symbols of freedom."
For more information, visit the 2003 First Amendment Essay Contest page on The Rutherford Institute's website or the official site of the 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl Football Classic.
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