Scholarship Opportunity!

I received this e-mail message today and wanted to pass it on to the class:

The First Freedom Center announces the 20^th annual First Freedom Student Competition. This national essay and video contest offers 9^th – 12^th grade students an opportunity to compete for $2,500 awards as they examine the First Amendment and the history and implementation of freedom of religion and conscience in American democracy and the world today. Students then present their evaluation in written essay or video format.
This year's topic introduces students to George Washington's famous Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island of 1790, where he addresses a new standard for religious freedom and religious equality for citizens of the young nation. Students will identify the basic principles of religious liberty espoused in this primary document and will research and assess how well the United States has lived up to Washington's ideal. For the complete topic, essay and video guidelines, registration, classroom poster, student flyer and other details, visit www.firstfreedom.org, and click on the red First Freedom Student Competition button (center column).

Students must register online on or before Monday, November 12, 2012, and the postmark deadline for mailing the essay or video with its accompanying entry materials is Monday, November 26, 2012. Winners will be announced on Thomas Jefferson's birthday, April 13, 2013.

We look forward to your students' participation in the First Freedom Student Competition!
[And to learn more about George Washington's Letter to the Hebrew Congregation and religious freedom, visit www.gwirf.org and, if possible, visit the Loeb Visitors Center (www.loebtouro.org) at the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site in Newport, Rhode Island. For more information and/or to plan a visit, please see www.tourosynagogue.org.]

Sincerely,
Ambassador (ret.) Randolph Bell
President

Christopher L. Payton
Vice President

Sandra M. Poulsen
Outreach Programs Coordinator

First Freedom Center
1321 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804.643.1786 phone
804.644.5024 faxcompetition@firstfreedom.orgVisit us online at: www.firstfreedom.org

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