BJC announces essay contest

To engage high school students in church-state issues and to generate interest from a wide range of Baptists, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty has launched the 2006 Religious Liberty Essay Contest.

Open to all Baptist high school students in the classes of 2006 and 2007, the contest offers a grand prize of $1,000 and airfare and lodging for two to Washington, D.C. Second prize is $500 and third prize is $100.

Winners will be announced in the summer of 2006 and will be featured in the BJC's flagship publication, Report from the Capital. The grand prize winner will also be recognized in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 2.

The theme of the contest is “Why the separation of church and state is necessary to ensure religious liberty for all.”

Essays should be between 700-1,000 words. They will be judged on the depth of their content and writing skill. Students should demonstrate a sound knowledge of the subject matter and support their assertions.

For more information or to download a registration form and promotional flier, visit www.bjconline.org/contest/.

Special to the Herald