The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, a member of NC Civics Coalition, 2025 essay contest is now open to all students currently in grades 6 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Students are invited to consider and share their thoughts on the question: "How do T.L.O. and Riley impact the search of a student's cell phone by school officials on public school grounds, and how would you protect a student's rights while balancing the school's responsibility to maintain a safe and effective learning environment?"
Deadline: Entry form and essay must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Grades 9-12: are limited to 500-750 words, and students have the opportunity to win one of three cash prizes: first place, $1,000; second place, $750; and third place, $500.
Grades 6-8: Essays are limited to 250-500 words, and students have the opportunity to win one of three cash prizes: first place, $250; second place, $175; and third place, $100.
Winners will be announced in August, and the winning essays will be presented at the Fourth Circuit's Constitution Day Program in September 2025.