In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Milion Mom March, the Virginia Million Mom March Chapters are sponsoring an essay contest open to all Virginia youth in grades K-12.

To enter, students must compose an original essay on this topic: "How to Reduce Gun Violence in the United States"

Three winners will be selected, one from each of the following divisions: Elementary School (Grades K-5); Middle School (Grades 6-8); and High School (Grades 9-12).

Entrants may take their own approach to this essay. For some suggestions to get started, consider some of these issues when researching the topic:

• Local, state and federal gun laws. How effective are they? Do we need tougher laws? What type of laws could we have constitutionally?
• The influence of the gun lobby and public safety organizations. Do they help or hinder efforts to curb gun violence?
• Comparisons between the United States and other countries with tougher gun laws. What do the statistics tell us?
• How easy is it to buy a gun in Virginia or elsewhere in the United States? Does this impact the level of gun violence we see?
• What types of firearms are legal in the United States, and does this impace gun violence?
• What is going on culturally in the United States that may be contributing to gun violence? Is there anything that can be done about it?

CONTEST RULES:

• You must be a resident of Virginia and 18 years of age or younger to enter.
• Each entry must include your full name, age, grade level at date of submission, name of the school you attend, name of a parent or guardian, mailing address including city and zip code, and email address. Phone number is optional. All winners will be notified in writing. Entries will not be returned.
• All entries must be the original work of the entrant.
• Essays must be written in English.
• Entries can be no more than 500 words for the Elementary Division (K-5); no more than 1,500 words for the Middle School Division (6-8); and no more than 3,000 words for the High School Division (9-12).
• All references must be cited. Citations do no count towards word limit.
• Entries must be submitted via email by November 14, 2010 at mmmvaessaycontest@gmail.com
• By entering the contest, you agree to have your essay posted, if selected, on the Brady Campaign/Millin Mom march Chapter websites. (Only your first name, age, and your city will be posted.)
• There is no limit to the number of original essays you may submit.

PRIZES:
Elementary School Division (Grades K-5)
First place: $100
Second place: $50
Third place: $25

Middle School Division (Grades 6-8)
First place: $150
Second place: $75
Third place: $50

High School Division (Grades 9-12)
First place: $200
Second place: $100
Third place: $75

Best of luck to all students!

» Click here to submit your entry