Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/58441
2012 Youth Forum Planned The Society's 3rd annual Youth Leader- ship Forum will take place on Friday, April 27th and wi l l once again feature members of Congress and Capitol Hill staff members providing insights about the importance and relevance of their work to high school students from public, public charter, and private s cho o l s f r om DC, Maryland, and Virginia school districts. While the details of this year's forum are still being finalized, the theme is "Leadership and the Congress," which will not only examine the history and role of the leadership within both parties and chambers of Congress, but will also look at the leadership provided within Congress by the chairmen and rank- ing minority members of both House and Student Essay Contest Society Announces New Annual Theme for 2012 Contest: "The Role of Informed Citizenship in Making Democracy Work" As part of its 50th anniversary commemoration, the United States Capitol Historical Society has announced a new annual national student essay contest. The theme of the 2012 contest challenges students to consider the role of informed citizens in making the American system of representative self- government work. The contest is open to students in two grade levels. The junior category for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 requires students to submit an essay of at least 600 words and no more than 800 words. The senior category for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 calls for essays in the 800 to 1,200 word range. "While a constitution may set forth rights and Students participate in a role-playing exercise run by the House and Senate history offices at the 2011 forum. Senate committees and subcommittees. By hearing directly from the members and from the staff that work for them, the students and those members who participate in this very popular educational program are assured an experience they will not soon forget. liberties, only the citizens can maintain and guaran- tee those freedoms. Active and informed citizenship is not just a right; it is a duty." President Ronald Reagan, Proclamation 4858 - Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1981 September 16, 1981 First prize in each category is a cash award of $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and two accompany- ing parents. Second and third prizes are cash prizes of $500 and $100. Fifty honorable mention runners up will receive copies of Understanding Congress. Students must certify their work by an essay adviser—either a teacher or a parent if home schooled. Complete rules and submission forms are available online at the Society's web site, www.uschs.org. 19 THE CAPITOL DOME