The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee – Chattanooga Division is inviting high school and middle school students in 17 area counties to participate in its annual civics essay contest.
This year’s topic is Brown v. Board of Commissioners of the City of Chattanooga, a federal lawsuit that alleged the Chattanooga city government was in violation of the Voting Rights Act.
The lawsuit was brought on behalf of minority voters to challenge the at-large electoral system in Chattanooga.
The contest is open to public, private and home school students in grades six through 12 in Bedford, Bledsoe, Bradley, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Lincoln, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Moore, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie, Warren and Van Buren counties.
Entries must be postmarked or emailed by March 18. Email submissions should be sent to dbolano@bakerdonelson.com with the subject line: Brown v. Board of Commissioners Essay Submission.
Entries can also be mailed to:
Civics Contest,
Attn: Kelly Walsh, U.S. Courthouse
900 Georgia Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37402.
The court will award a $300 prize to the winning high school author and a $200 prize to the winning middle school author. The selection committee will announce the winners in mid-April.
Along with their parents and teachers, the winning students will be invited to a reception at the courthouse with members of the selection committee.
Additional information and essay materials are located at connections.tned.uscourts.gov/participate.html.
Contact Kelly Walsh at kelly_walsh@tned.uscourts.gov or 423 386-3523 for more information.
Source: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee – Chattanooga Division.