Deadline nears for ULM essay contest posted Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 @ 3:24 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  ULM essay contest deadline nears The deadline for the University of Louisiana at Monroe Department of Communication essay contest—commemorating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution—is next week. "Free Expression and the First Amendment" is the topic of the contest, which is open to all high school students in Ouachita and Lincoln parishes. First prize is $500; second is $300; and third is $100. There are two honorable mentions at $50 each. The contest will be part of a larger observance of the anniversary, which will also include a guest speaker, Ken Paulson, president and CEO of the First Amendment Center. Paulson will deliver the keynote speech Sept. 25 at the ULM Library. Paulson's presence is being made possible through a cooperation between the university and The News-Star. All entrants into the essay contest will be invited, along with their family and friends, to the reception at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 25 at the 7th floor of the ULM Library. The contest topic focuses on the free expression component of the First Amendment. Specifically, it asks: "Other than what has already been prescribed into law as unprotected free speech (obscenity or threats to national security, for example) what, if any, should be the limits to free expression?" Some of the requirements include: One entry per student; essays may not exceed 1,000 words (there is no minimum length); contestants must compose an original essay with limited guidance from others. All entries will receive consideration from a balanced panel of experts who will evaluate entries based on understanding of the First Amendment, persuasiveness, creativity and grammar. Submissions Mailed submissions must be postmarked no later than Sept. 18. Electronic submissions must be received no later than 8 p.m. CDT Sept. 20. Hand-delivered submissions should be delivered no later than 4 p.m. CDT Sept. 20. Mail or deliver submissions to : University of Louisiana at Monroe, Department of Communication, 401 Bayou Drive, 120-D Stubbs Hall, Monroe, LA 71209 attn: Dr. Peggy J. Bowers Winners will be contacted by telephone or email. For more information, visit www.ulm.edu/225 Sponsors to date include The News-Star, Charles Freeman Stamper, Charles Kincade, EPCO Carbon Dioxide, OIB, the law firm of McNew, King, Mills, Birch and Landry, the law firm of Hudson, Potts and Bernstein, The Free Press, David Verlander and Travis Holley.