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Just One Week Left! Enter FIRE’s 2012 High School Essay Contest for Your Chance to Win $20,000 in Scholarship Prizes

The deadline for FIRE's essay contest is quickly approaching. The last day for high school juniors and seniors to watch two short FIRE videos and submit their essays on why free speech is important on college campuses will be Sunday, November 25. We will be awarding nine scholarship prizes totalling $20,000, including a $10,000 scholarship for the first prize essay. Encourage the high school students in your life to apply today!

FIRE Essay Contest FAQs:

Who can enter the FIRE high school essay contest? 

Current high school juniors and seniors (graduating in the spring of 2013 or 2014) may submit an essay for consideration.

What is the deadline for entering?

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, November 25, 2012. Winners will be announced by December 21, 2012.

What is the essay question?

Why is free speech important at our nation's colleges and universities? Using examples from both videos, discuss how censorship of student speech is incompatible with higher education. Your essay should be 800-1,000 words.

How much is the winning scholarship award?

FIRE will award nine scholarship prizes totalling $20,000 to students who enter the 2012 contest. One $10,000 first prize, one $5,000 second prize, and three $1,000 runner-up prizes will be awarded for the best essays. Four $500 winners will be chosen from the remaining entrants in a drawing.

Where should I send my essay?

Essays should be submitted using the online submission form at thefire.org/resources/high-school-network/essay-contest.

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