26th Annual Bill of Rights
Art and Essay Contest, 2009-2010

for Students in Grades 7 through 12

The Monterey County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is pleased to announce that this year it will again sponsor the Bill of Rights Art and Essay Contest for students in grades 7 through 12.

Our topic is:
              Privacy and free speech on the Internet:
              Should our private information be gathered, used, or sold to the Government?

This subject should give students the opportunity to form and express their own opinions about a current issue of debate. Participating students should read the contest details and the background information provided on our website.

Our prizes will be: $150 cash for first prize essays and artwork for both high school and middle school entries, $100 cash for second prizes, and $50 for third prizes. Please be sure to submit entries to the ACLU by November 30, 2009, to
          Monterey County ACLU
          P.O. Box 1112
          Pacific Grove, CA 93950
for essays and to the
          Youth Arts Collective
          472 Calle Principal
          Monterey, CA 93940
for artwork.

Winners of the contest will be presented with their prizes and works of art will be exhibited at the ACLU Annual Membership Meeting on January 18, 2009, at the Monterey Library on Pacific Street in Monterey. The first prize essays will be read at the meeting, and copies will be available. Winning essays and artwork will be posted on this website.

Please announce the Art and Essay Contest to teachers and students in grades 7 through 12. You may wish to display the announcements in classrooms, hallways, and the school library. All contest materials are available on our website. We hope to encourage all to participate in this Art and Essay Contest. It can be a worthwhile experience for all.

Local ACLU Board and Legal Committee members are available to talk to your classes about the subject matter of the contest. Email acluMontereyCounty@redshift.com with questions or to request a speaker.

Your support and assistance are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Bill of Rights Student Art and Essay Contests Chair
Monterey County Chapter of the ACLU