Student Essay Contest

by | Oct 4, 2021

Florida Citizens Alliance with numerous Southwest Florida groups is hosting a “Politics and Power vs Peoples Rights” 6-part series beginning Oct 14th, 2021

If you are a 11th or 12th grader in Collier and Lee County including public, charter, private, and homeschool, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship! Each participating student will submit a 1 page (250 words) essay on a topic relating to the United States Constitution. The essay question will change for each of the speaker series.

The winner for each of the 6 individual speaker series will earn a scholarship of at least $1000. An overall winner from the 6 winners will be selected with an additional essay and earn a scholarship of at least $2000. Students can participate in any or all of the 6 events/contests.

Any student that participates will have their name placed in a drawing for a free ticket to FLCA’s March 9th Kids and Country Gala at The Naples Ritz featuring Dennis Prager and Charlie Kirk (value $500).

First Essay Question (Submission Due Oct. 9) Expand

Our American Founding Fathers believed it was important to include the 10th Amendments (i.e. State Powers) in the Bill of Rights. Opine on the current relationship between Florida and our federal government.

Congratulations to Simon Susko for winning the first essay contest!

Second Essay Question (Submission Due Nov. 9) Expand Our founding fathers drafted the first amendment to guarantee religious freedom and protect against the federal government mandating one religion. In 1774, Thomas Jefferson stated, “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” 150 years later, the Supreme Court interpreted the first amendment as a separation of Church and State as indicated by numerous cases questioning the rights guaranteed by the first amendment.

Has the position of the Supreme Court been in accordance with the original intent of Thomas Jefferson’s ideas regarding the separation of Church and State?

Third Essay Question (Submission Due Dec. 7) Expand

Give a concise summation of the separation of powers as established by the Constitution. Do you feel those provisions still exist today? Base your answer on the three branches of government, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

Fourth Essay Questions (Due Jan. 18) Expand Do you believe the Constitution is a living and breathing document? Why or why not? Use examples from the Constitution and our Founding Fathers to back up your claim. CURRENT: Fifth Essay Question (Due Feb. 8) Expand Does a county sheriff have the right to intervene and countermand the mandates established by the Federal Government? Explain…

A 3-person team will assess the essay entries. Essays for the Feb. 10th event must be submitted as a Word Doc file by Feb. 6th to [email protected]. The team will assess winners strictly on the content of the student submission.

For questions about the events or contest, contact: Carol DiPaolo or Jimmy Rosenberger at [email protected]
Note: For businesses or individuals who want to donate to the student scholarship fund, contact [email protected] or call 239-250-3320.
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