First Amendment essay contest offers $10,000 college scholarship

The New York Press Association Foundation is sponsoring a First Amendment essay contest for 11th and 12th grade students in New York State.

Designed to foster knowledge and understanding of the First Amendment, the statewide competition offers entrants the chance to win a first-place $10,000 college scholarship.

Entrants must submit an essay (maximum 500 words) to their local NYPA-member weekly newspaper. First-place winners at the regional level will have their essays printed in their local newspaper and will automatically be entered into the statewide competition, where NYPA Foundation board members and staff will select the scholarship winner.

A $250 second-place and $100 third-place prize will also be awarded at the state level.

Students will be asked to interpret the First Amendment in their essays and discuss the role it plays in American life. Discussions can, for example, include the First Amendment's importance with regard to school newspapers, local communities, or state and federal government.

Contest details, entry forms and a list of participating newspapers are available on the What's New pages at the NYPA Web site www.nynewpapers.com. Completed entry forms must accompany the student essays and be e-mailed to their local participating newspaper no later than Feb. 15, 2007.

Statewide winners will be notified in early March and will be invited to attend NYPA's annual spring convention in Saratoga Springs to receive their awards.