The Bill of Rights Day Contest is an annual essay and art contest for students in grades 5 – 12 within the Seventh and Eighth Circuits of the United States Courts – including Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Each year, students and teachers are provided new contest prompts and guidelines with a theme surrounding the Bill of Rights. Entries of essays, poetry, art, music, and videos are submitted by students.
Finalists advance to the grand prize round for a chance to win $500 and are recognized during a live virtual event. The virtual event is open to the public and serves as an educational opportunity for all who attend.
For more information about the Bill of Rights Day Contest, visit https://judiciallearningcenter.org/bill-of-rights-day/
Past Finalists from the Eastern District of Arkansas
- Term Limit Amendment Proposal by Riley Farris, a homeschool student from Pangburn, Arkansas (2023 finalist)
- Eye to Freedom by Xuanying Li, Batesville Junior High School Charter (2022 finalist)
- Bill of Rights by Jimena Castillo, Rison Elementary School (2022 finalist)
- Let Our Voices Sing by Serenity Hardy & Brooklyn Jones, Batesville Junior High School Charter (2022 finalist)
- Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case by Emma Harrington, Southside Junior High School (2022 finalist)
- The Rights of Highschoolers by Raina Coles, Southside Junior High School (2022 finalist)
- Speech is a Student’s Superpower by Haley Rea, Southside Junior High School (2022 finalist)