Student Contest – $500 Cash Prize!

The United States Courts within the Seventh and Eighth Circuits are hosting the Fifth Annual Bill of Rights Day Contest and we want YOU to be a part of it! Students in Grades 5-12 from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are encouraged to submit art and essays on the importance of the Bill of Rights. See detailed prompts and guidelines below.  Be as creative as you like!

Submission deadline is Nov 1, 2024. Finalists from each grade level category will receive a $50 prize and advance to the finals. Grand prize winners will be awarded a $500 cash prize, be able to take part in a virtual award ceremony with a federal judge on Wednesday, December 4, and have their name and submission shared on the websites of the participating United States District Courts.

New this year:  Finalists and winners will be chosen from the following grade level categories – Grade 5-6, Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12. (The contest committee reserves the right to combine grade level categories based on number of entries received in each.)

Finalists will be notified by Thanksgiving and grand prize winners will be announced at the LIVE virtual event on December 4, 2024.  Must be present to win the grand prize.  Event registration information below.

ATTENTION TEACHERS: All teacher names submitted will be entered into a raffle. Randomly selected teachers will receive gift cards. The more students who list a teacher’s name on the form, the more chances the teacher has to win!  If you are assigning this to your class or classes, the bulk-submit option is highly recommended.

• Click HERE to download a printable contest flyer.
• See HERE for a list of educational resources to help you teach about the Bill of Rights and the essay prompt.
• There is a bulk-submit option for teachers submitting on behalf of a class. To inquire about bulk submissions, email EducationTeam@ca8.uscourts.gov

CONTEST PROMPT AND GUIDELINES

• High School, Grades 9-10 and 11-12

  PROMPT FOR 2024: Many countries around the world have a foundational document like the U.S. Bill of Rights, addressing the rights of its country’s citizens. Research the rights that citizens of other countries have and select one right that you would like to see added to the U.S. Bill of Rights. Write an essay, creative writing submission, video, multimedia presentation, or artwork, such as a poem, song, drawing, or painting, that explains the origins of this right, and why you think we need this right in the United States.

  Your work should include ALL of the following:

  • Trace the origin of the right and explain why it exists in the other country’s foundational document.
  • Clearly explain why the right is needed in the United States, using at least 5 concrete facts to support your claim.
  • Cite at least 5 separate, reliable sources.

  Further Guidelines:

  • Essays and creative writing pieces should be between 500-800 words.
  • Videos, multimedia presentations, poems, songs should be 3-5 minutes in length.
  • Multimedia presentations must include slides that contain multiple creative elements such as video clips, GIFs, animations, or photos AND verbal commentary built into the program.
  • Drawings and paintings must include a 200-word artist’s statement that explains how the submission addresses the contest prompt.

• Middle School, Grades 5-6 and 7-8

  PROMPT FOR 2024: Many countries around the world have a foundational document like the U.S. Bill of Rights, addressing the rights of its country’s citizens. Research the rights that citizens of other countries have and select one right that you would like to see added to the U.S. Bill of Rights. Write an essay, creative writing submission, video, multimedia presentation, or artwork, such as a poem, song, drawing, or painting, that explains why you think we need this right in the United States. Use this excellent source from the National Constitution Center to get started.

  Your work should include ALL of the following:

  • Clearly explain why the right is needed in the United States, using at least 3 concrete facts to support your claim.
  • Cite at least 3 separate, reliable sources.

  Further Guidelines:

  • Essays and creative writing pieces should be between 250-500 words.
  • Videos, multimedia presentations, poems, songs should be 3-5 minutes in length.
  • Multimedia presentations must include slides that contain multiple creative elements such as video clips, GIFs, animations, or photos AND verbal commentary built into the program.
  • Drawings and paintings must include a 100-word artist’s statement that explains how the submission addresses the contest prompt.

• General Guidelines for Everyone

  General Guidelines:

  • All entries must be the original work of the student(s). Computer assisted work will not be accepted.
  • Only individual entries will be accepted for essays and artworks.
  • Group entries will be accepted only for video, song, and multimedia projects.  It is up to the contestants to fairly divide any prize amounts they may win.
  • Only one entry per student.
  • Entries with incomplete entry forms will not be considered.
  • No photography or computer-generated art will be accepted as artwork.

Tips! Students should research their topic to find data, facts, and/or anecdotes from credible sources. Credible sources are written by trustworthy authors or news organizations and are free from bias and backed up with evidence. Not sure how to tell if a source is credible? Check out this GUIDE.

Be as creative as you’d like! Click HERE to see “Tips for Winning Submissions.”

RULES

• Eligibility

  Contest is open to all students in grades 5-12 within the Seventh and Eighth Circuits – Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

• Bulk Submission for Teachers

  There is a bulk-submit option for teachers submitting on behalf of their classes. To inquire about bulk submissions, email EducationTeam@ca8.uscourts.gov

• Deadline

  Submissions will be accepted during the fall semester, through 5:00 pm on Friday, November 1, 2024.

• Entry

  Entries MUST be submitted using the online entry form. If information is missing from the form, the entry will not be considered. EXCEPTION: Teachers are strongly encouraged to use the bulk-submit option if multiple students are entering.

• Online Entry Form

  Do not begin the online entry form until you have your art or essay ready to attach. Entry forms without a file attachment will not be considered. Parent/guardian must be present with you while you are completing and submitting the form. Click HERE when you are ready to enter the contest.

“The Bill of Rights and You” Virtual Event – Wed Dec 4

Participants will hear from federal judges and learn who won the student contest and the teacher raffle drawing. The live event will be held in Zoom on Wed Dec 4, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Central.

You do not have to be a contest finalist to participate. This event is designed for families but all are welcome to join the webinar. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Valuable prizes will be awarded! Be sure to register for the webinar with your correct name and email address – there will be a drawing for attendance prizes.

Click HERE for a printable event flyer.

Click HERE to register for the webinar. DO NOT REGISTER WITH A STUDENT’S SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS. 

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