Speaking about America’s
Constitutional Freedom of Religion
Student Speech Competition: Grades 7 & 8
Winning Speeches to be Read by their Authors
Catholics for Freedom of Religion invites students in grades 7 and 8 enrolled
in Catholic Schools and in Religious Education classes within the Diocese of
Rockville Centre to participate in a speech competition in support of every
st
American’s 1 Amendment right to Freedom of Religion. Selected speeches will be read by their authors as
part of the Diocese wide religious freedom rally on June 25, 2015 during the Fortnight For Freedom.
Contest rules are as follows:
 Contestants will research and write an original speech on the history of our 1st Amendment
commenting/explaining one of the following:
 Why our Founding Fathers believed Freedom of Religion should be the right of all Americans…
 In what ways our 1st amendment Freedom of Religion has benefitted our citizens and our
country
 How 1st amendment Freedom of Religion allowed Catholics to become pioneers in education
and healthcare in America
 The speeches are to be 350 words or less. Speeches selected will be read by their authors.

The speeches will be submitted on a date specified by each school or religious education program.

Speeches will be submitted printed on standard white paper with no graphics, artwork, borders or other
special formatting. Word count should be included in the student contact information.
 The following cover sheet will be completed by the student and stapled behind the last page of the speech for
purposes of identifying and contacting the student.
 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 June 25, 2015 rally is a requirement for an award.
 All speeches submitted will be first evaluated within the student’s school or religious education program.
 It is the responsibility of each principal and DRE to submit one winning speech to Catholics for Freedom of
Religion (location TBD) by May 1, 2015.
 About late May, the CFFR panel will evaluate the speeches on content, form and impact. The top speech from
all Catholic schools and the top speech from all religious education programs will be presented by their authors
at the Fortnight For Freedom Rally, “Religious Freedom: Our First Amendment Right” on June 25, 2015 at 7pm
at Chaminade High School; 340 Jackson Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501
 The authors of the two winning speeches will each receive a $100.00 cash award in recognition of their work.
 Students who participate agree that the decisions of the panel are final.
TO BE ATTACHED AS LAST PAGE OF SUBMITTED SPEECH
Religious Freedom: Our First Amendment Right
SPEECH CONTEST - STUDENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Student name:
Grade level:
School or Religious Ed:
Word count:
Home phone:
Teacher/DRE:
Student address:
Teacher/DRE email:
Parent name:
Parent email:
Questions? Contact “Catholics for Freedom of Religion” at 631-896-8331
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
Preserving Religious Liberty for All
www.CatholicsforFreedomofReligion.org