Student Essay Contest To Award $1,000 Prize

American Baptist Home Mission Societies encourages high school juniors and seniors to enter an essay in the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee’s 2012 Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest. First prize is $1,000 and a trip for two to Washington, D.C.; second prize is $500; and third prize is $100.

Students are asked to write an 800- to 1,200-word essay that examines the role that religion should play in a presidential campaign. The following questions can be considered:

• Is it fair that the religious beliefs and affiliations of presidential candidates often become campaign issues?
• Should presidential candidates talk about their religious beliefs?
• Should candidates be required to answer certain religion-related questions?

Essays will be judged on content depth, topic mastery and skill with which they are written. A student should demonstrate critical thinking, developing a position and using appropriate evidence to support it. Sources―such as the U.S. Constitution and news articles―must be used and cited in the essay. Essays should be clear, concise, well-organized and free of grammatical errors. A teacher or counselor at the student’s school or on staff at the student’s church must ensure that the essay is the student’s original work and that it meets all requirements. No requirements or restrictions involve a student’s grade-point average, faith or extracurricular activities.

Winners will be announced in summer 2012. The first-place winner and a parent or guardian will receive airfare to and one night of lodging in Washington, D.C., where the student will present the winning essay at the October 2012 BJC board meeting.

Essays are now being accepted. Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2012, and mailed to Baptist Joint Committee Essay Contest, 200 Maryland Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.

For complete rules, a registration form or a poster to display at church or school, visit the Baptist Joint Committee website at www.bjconline.org or contact Cherilyn Crowe at ccrowe@BJConline.org or 202-544-4226.

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