Speaking about America’s
Constitutional Freedom of Religion
Student Speech Competition: Grades 9-12
Winning Speeches to be posted and read by contestants
CATHOLICS FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION, the SC Catholic Conference and the Diocese of Charleston’s Family Life Office
invites Catholic students in grades 9 to 12. to participate in a speech competition in support of every American’s 1st
Amendment right to Freedom of Religion. Selected speeches will be read by their authors at a special award ceremony
(to be announced) during the 3rd annual Fortnight For Freedom- Freedom to Serve activities that will take place between
June 21 and July 4, 2014. Contest rules are as follows:
1- Contestants are to research, write, and present an original speech related to the religious freedom guaranteed in
our Bill of Rights and the 1st Amendment to our Constitution.
Students can choose to speak on one of the following:
-
The founders’ beliefs about the role of religious freedom in America
The effects of the HHS mandate on 1st amendment freedom of religion
Denial of religious freedom and/or religious persecution around the world
How religion and freedom of religion is viewed in current culture.
2- The speeches are to be 450 - 600 words in length. Speeches selected will be read by their authors.
3- The speeches will be submitted by email to Carol Walters - caroljean319@verizon.net before June 14, 2014.
4- Speeches will be submitted printed on standard white paper with no graphics, artwork, borders or other special
formatting. Word count should be included on the student contact information form.
5- The attached cover sheet will be completed by the student and be included as the last page of the speech for
purposes of identifying and contacting the student.
6- The copies of the speeches submitted will not be returned. Students are responsible for retaining their original
work. Presentation of the speech by the student at the award ceremony is a requirement for an award.
7- All speeches submitted will be judged by a panel of representatives of CATHOLICS FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION. The
speeches will be evaluated on content and impact. There will be 2 winners The winning speeches will be presented by
their authors at the Fortnight For Freedom-Freedom to Serve award ceremony (to be announced).
8- The 2 authors of the winning speeches will each receive a $50.00 gift card in recognition of their work.
9- Students who participate agree that the decisions of the panel are final.
Religious Freedom: Our First Amendment Right
SPEECH CONTEST - STUDENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Student name:
Grade level:
School or Parish CCD:
Word count:
Student phone contact:
Student address:
Parent name:
Questions? Contact Carol Walters at 631-926-0995
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances. 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution
http://sccatholic.org/
www.sccatholicconference.org
www.CatholicsforFreedomofReligion.org