Foundation offers cash prizes for original student speeches, songs, short films and public service announcements on the U.S. Constitution

COLLEYVILLE, Texas, February 9, 2011 – Undergraduate college students with a passion for American history and our nation’s founding principles are encouraged to enter the “We the People 9*17 Contest,” the non-profit foundation Constituting America announced today.

Through the contest, college students across America are eligible to win a $2,000 cash prize by creating an original song, short film, public service announcement or speech addressing a variety of topics related to the U.S. Constitution. In addition to the cash prize, contest winners will receive a trip to Philadelphia and national exposure as “future leaders” in a video documentary on the contest winners. This is the first year college students have been eligible to enter the contest.

“After receiving so many wonderful entries during last year’s inaugural K-12 contest, we wanted to give college students an opportunity to think about the Constitution in fun and creative ways,” said Constituting America Founder Janine Turner, who noted that the contest takes its name from September 17, the date in 1787 on which the Constitution was adopted. “We hope college students will seize this opportunity to share their thoughts on America’s founding principles through music, film, video and oratory.”

The “We the People 9*17 Contest” is open to undergraduate students ages 17-24 who are carrying at least 12 credits and are working toward a degree at a U.S. college or university. For detailed information on the contest rules as well as the specific constitutional themes to be addressed in each category, visit www.constitutingamerica.org Entries may be submitted to: Constituting America, We the People 9*17 Contest, P.O. Box 1988, Colleyville, TX 76034. All entries must be postmarked by June 14, 2011.

A non-profit foundation, Constituting America was founded in 2010 with an ambitious mission: to get America’s citizens and youth excited and engaged about the U.S. Constitution. Founded by acclaimed actress Janine Turner (Northern Exposure, Friday Night Lights) and co-chaired by grassroots organizer Cathy Gillespie, this innovative non-profit campaign offers teachers, students and citizens a wide of variety of resources for learning more about America’s founding principles. For more information, visit www.constitutingamerica.org.

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