Fourth Circuit Civics Contest

The Fourth Circuit Civics Contest is a poster-and-essay competition for high school students to express their perspective on the theme of the Declaration's founding principles and the rule of law. Entrants create an original graphic poster with a written description and an essay addressing legal and constitutional issues such as student cell phone searches. Winners receive public recognition from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and a monetary prize. The contest is limited to students from five states within the Fourth Circuit.

$1,000 prize and public recognition by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Open to students currently in grades 9 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Prior award winners may not re-enter; children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and household members of federal judges or judiciary employees are not eligible.

Prepare an original graphic poster and a written description, write an essay addressing the prompt and relevant legal cases, complete the official entry form, and submit the poster and form online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.