2006 Poster and Essay
Contest Information, Rules and Awards
Deadline April 3, 2006
Contest Information
The Poster and Essay contest allows participation by grade levels. Students may participate in
the following levels:
Grades K-2: Official Vermont Symbols Poster Contest (state flag, state seal, state bird, etc.)
Grades 3-5: Vermont History Poster Contest
Grades 6-8: Article Three of the Vermont constitution outlines the framework for religious freedom guaranteed to
everyone regardless of their beliefs. It makes clear the importance of separation of church and state, declaring that no
person should be "abridged of any civil right as a citizen on account of religious sentiments." What does this mean? How
closely do you think we follow this article today? Discuss the reasons why you think Article Three may have been included
in the Vermont constitution, and whether it is still relevant today.
Grades 9-12: In 1996 the Vermont Legislature adopted the most comprehensive and aggressive campaign finance law in
the nation. The law limited campaign contributions to candidates, PACs and political parties, it defined and limited related
expenditures on behalf of candidates, it limited out of state contributions and set limits on candidate spending. The law
also included a public finance provision for candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. Some of the law’s provisions
were adopted with the express intent of challenging restrictive readings of United States Supreme Court precedent
Buckley v. Valeo, and as expected a court case followed. On August 10, 2000, the Vermont Federal District Court struck
some of the provisions of the law as unconstitutional. See Landell et al v. Sorrell et al, Docket No. 2:00-cv-146. (The
decision is available at http://www.vtb.uscourts.gov). That case was appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and
a three judge panel overturned the lower court decision and reinstated much of Vermont's law. (The decision is available
through the Secretary of State's website's election page www.sec.state.vt.us). Should government be allowed to place
limits on how much money candidates and their supporters spend on their campaigns?
Be sure to check out the Secretary of State’s Kid’s page for ideas at: http://www.sec.state.vt.us/Kids/
Contest Rules
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All posters may not exceed 15" x 24" in size.
All essays may not exceed 2 double spaced typed 8½" x 11" pages or 3 hand written pages.
(Please email essay entries if possible)
Each poster or essay must be clearly labeled with the student's name, grade, teacher and school.
All essays and posters will be judged on the following criteria:
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Originality
Dedication to contest theme
Knowledge of topic
Return of essays and posters cannot be guaranteed. If you would like your entries returned please be sure that the
registration form and each submission is clearly marked as such. The deadline for entries is April 3, 2006.
The 2006 Poster and Essay Contest is sponsored by the Secretary of State's Office.
For more information please visit our website at http://www.sec.state.vt.us/kids/
Contest Awards
Each of the four winners will receive a $100 savings bond. In addition his or her class will be invited to be the guest of the
Secretary of State for a day in Montpelier to tour the State House, visit the Historical Society Museum and have a rare
viewing of the Vermont Constitution which is kept in the Archives at the Secretary of State's office. This is a particular
honor, since the Vermont Constitution is only removed from its special vault on very few occasions.
All entry submissions must be returned by April 3, 2006 to:
2006 Poster and Essay Contest
Office of the Secretary of State Redstone Building
26 Terrace Street, Drawer 9
Montpelier, Vermont 05609-1101
We encourage you to email essay entries to mlynch@sec.state.vt.us
Please call Marianne Lynch with any questions at 802-828-2148.
The 2006 Poster and Essay Contest is sponsored by the Secretary of State's Office.
For more information please visit our website at http://www.sec.state.vt.us/kids/
2006 Poster and Essay
Contest Information, Rules
and Awards
Deadline April 3, 2006
Student/Class Name/Grade:_________________________________________________
* If registering more than one student see note below
School Name:_______________________________________________________
School Mailing Address:_______________________________________________
Contact Person:_____________________________________________________
Telephone Number: __________________________________________________
Email:_____________________________________________________________
Please write in the number of entries being submitted to the contest category. Please use a
separate entry sheet for each different category.
Grades K-2 Official Vermont Symbols Poster Contest - # of entries:_________________
Grades 3-5 Vermont History Poster Contest - # of entries:_________________________
Grades 6-8 Vermont Constitution Essay Contest - # of entries:_____________________
Grades 9-12 Campaign Finance Law - # of entries:_________
*Please Note: Poster or essay entries for an entire class may be submitted with one registration
form. Please include a list of ALL participating students on a separate sheet. Please be sure that
each individual entry is clearly labeled on the backside with ALL of the information requested
above. (Some teachers created labels for their student’s submissions. We have found this to be an
efficient and accurate method.)
Please email writing entries to kmathieson@sec.state.vt.us
Would you like your non-winning posters returned to you? Yes / No
Entry forms and submissions must be returned by April 3, 2006 to:
2006 Poster and Essay Contest
Office of the Secretary of State-Redstone Building
26 Terrace Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05609-1101
Please call Kathryn Mathieson with any questions at 802-828-2148
The 2006 Poster and Essay Contest is sponsored by the Secretary of State's Office.
For more information please visit our website at http://www.sec.state.vt.us/kids/