High school students can submit essays through Dec. 15 for the Bill of Rights Institute’s national Being an American Essay Contest.
For the contest, students write about the Constitution, answering the question "How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?"
It's a nationwide contest, but Maryland students will compete against others from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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The contest receives more than 80,000 submitted essays, is administered by the Bill of Rights Institute, according to a news release from the institute.
It's "a non-profit educational organization in the Washington, D.C. area devoted to educating young people about the Constitution and founding principles," the release states.
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Top three student winners from each of five geographical regions will be awarded cash prizes of $1,000 for first place; $500 for second place, and $250 for third.
Teacher sponsors of each student winner will also receive a cash prize of $100.
Essays must be submitted online at the Bill of Rights Institute website by Dec. 15. Check the website for the deadline time.
The contest is sponsored by the History Channel.
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