THE CONNECTICUT FOUNDATION
FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT
Announces
2019 High School Essay Contest
First Prize: $1,000
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $300
Honorable Mentions: $50
Choose one of the following topics:
- Wisconsin high school students posed for a photo with their arms raised in an apparent Nazi salute. School officials did not discipline them, citing the students’ First Amendment protections. Was that the correct decision?
- The student newspaper at Har-Ber High School in Springdale, AR, was censored by school administrators after an investigative report on the transfer of six football players to a rival school. Administrators later allowed the report to be republished but insist they should have prior approval of all articles. Should student newspapers be subject to prior administrative approval?
- The University of California, Berkeley, recently settled a lawsuit that claimed discrimination against conservative speakers. Should universities be able to impose fees and security requirements because certain speakers attract crowds and even protests?
Rules
Essays must be at least 400 words but no more than 600 words and emailed no later than March 29, 2019, to cfogessay@aol.com. Essays should include the student’s full name, school, grade and teacher email contact information. Winners will be announced by May 15, 2019.