THE CONNECTICUT FOUNDATION
FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT
Announces
2021 High School Essay Contest
First Prize: $1,000
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $300
Honorable Mentions: $50
Choose one of the following topics:
- A Pennsylvania high school cheerleader was angry when she failed to make the varsity squad and posted a profane message about school on Snapshot while off campus. Administrators suspended her from cheerleading for a year. A lawsuit she filed is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Does the First Amendment protect public school students for speech outside school grounds?
- Should the owners of social media platforms be legally responsible for libelous postings by users? Under present law, only the user is legally responsible for a libelous post.
- Do Americans have the right to secretly record police officers discharging their official duties in public places?
Rules
Essays must be at least 400 words but no more than 600 words and emailed no later than March 31, 2021, 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 14, 2021.