In Lincoln's Footsteps - In Lincoln's Footsteps

Rules

1) Contestant must be a rising 10-12th grade* high school student enrolled in a public, parochial, private, charter or home school within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. *The student must be in 10, 11 or 12 grade during the 2013-2014 academic year.

2) Contestant must compose a contemporary version of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, focusing on such themes as freedom, bravery, sacrifice, dedication and national purpose.

3) Only one entry may be submitted by each contestant.

4) Submissions will be accepted beginning February 12, 2013 and no later than April 15, 2013. (The original deadline of April 1 was extended to April 15.)

5) Speeches are to contain no more than 270 words, the approximate length of the most frequently quoted version of Lincoln’s Address.

6) Complete submissions must include contestant’s speech in writing and a video recording of contestant’s delivery of his/her written speech.

7) Contestants must sign the contest’s “Applicant Honor Attestation” verifying eligibility for the contest and attesting that the work submitted is the entrant’s sole, original work-product.

8) If selected as a semi-finalist, contestants must be willing to travel to Harrisburg, at their own expense, to participate in a final, live judging event. The semi-final judging event will take place on a date to-be-determined during the Fall of 2013. All finalists will enjoy a special program and tour specially organized to honor their accomplishment.

9) The winner of the contest must agree to travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 18-19, 2013 for professional speech and presentation training and the delivery of the winning speech as part of the official commemorative ceremonies marking the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. All travel expenses for the winner and his/her parent or guardian will be paid for by the In Lincoln’s Footsteps Contest.

10) The In Lincoln’s Footsteps contest is open to all students meeting the eligibility criteria.  Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate (and/or attend the event) should contact Dr. Myles Martel at contest@inlincolnsfootsteps.com at least 30 days in advance of the submission deadline so that arrangements can be made.