In honor of Constitution Day, Dr. Zehr, the Academic Student Advocate here at Plymouth State University, invites students to participate in an essay competition. Constitution Day was September 17th, and it marks the day on which the U.S. Constitution was signed. All students can participate, and it’s a great opportunity for students to win some extra money!
Anyone interested in participating in the competition should know that the essays should be themed upon the First Amendment, and how it relates to issues in higher education in this day and age. The First Amendment is the one that protects every American citizen’s right to free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press, in addition to a few more provisions.
This is a topic that all Plymouth State students should be able to connect with, especially those who are pursuing a career in education. Sara Worley, a junior English major seeking teacher certification, who plans to participate in the essay competition, gave her thoughts on free speech in higher education. “I definitely identify with that topic,” she said. “There are some things that you can’t say in a classroom setting. Bullying and homophobia are still an issue even in higher education. I don’t believe in free speech that is harmful to another person.” But there are many different directions with which students can choose to go with the prompt. Written essays should be two pages in length, but there is also an option to submit a video essay, which should be five minutes total.
The winner of the best article submitted will receive a cash prize of $100, and will be shared with the campus community at large. The deadline for sending in essay submissions is Friday, September 28th, and can be emailed to Dr. Zehr at zehr@plymouth.edu or dropped off at the Frost House.