Constitution Day

By Sabrina Biehl Published Sep 16, 2011 04:27 pm Updated Jun 24, 2014 03:21 pm

To commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, Congress designated September 17 of each year as Constitution Day and September 17 – 23 as Constitution Week.

This year the Calaveras County Taxpayers Association will reach out to all Calaveras County public and private schools to celebrate the U.S. Constitution, known as the “supreme law of the land”, with a creative art, essay, and video contest.

The Association believes that by promoting a better understanding of the Constitution, we will help preserve our free and prosperous society far into the future.

Prizes for the winning entries include cash, Zip Line rides at Moaning Cavern Park and gift certificates from local merchants. Also winners receive media recognition, an award presentation and recognition from Congressman Tom McClintock.

Calaveras students in grades one to five may submit a poster; grades six to eight, an essay and high school students, an essay or a short video. All contestants will receive a pocket constitution.

Contestants must register online by Constitution Day September 17, 2011 and submit their entries by October 3, 2011.

Contest website is: ConstitutionDayContest.wordpress.com

For their topic, students get to choose one of the first ten Amendments also known as the Bill of Rights. The entry should answer the question: “How is this Amendment particularly meaningful to you or your family?”

A panel of five prominent Judges will score the student’s knowledge of the chosen Amendment, communication skills, originality and creativity of presentation. The judges are:

Gary Kuntz, Calaveras County Sheriff
Steve Fairchild, Owner, Moaning Cavern Park
Jean Turpen, Business Professional
Judy Wilmot, Artist & Teacher

The Calaveras County Taxpayers Association is a non-partisan, non-profit citizen advocacy group founded in 2007. For more contest information or to offer a cash donation: ConstitutionDayContest.wordpress.com At this time I am not aware of a similar Tuolumne county Constitution Day contest but feel free to comment!