Press Information

If you are a member of the press, or even if you are just curious about where the Bill of Rights Institute's Being an American Essay Contest has been mentioned, you can find out more information here. All releases may be viewed below as a PDF. If you would like a Microsoft Word file of any release or have any questions about the release please let us know by contacting Rachel Gillespie via email. Please see below for the most up to date list of news releases.

Official Press Release and Contest Information Fast Facts

• Largest High School Essay Contest Opens for 2009-2010 - Monday, September 14, 2009

Public Service Announcements and Audio News Releases

PSA [file] [script]

0:01 INTRODUCTION:
“High school students from all over the nation are being invited to take part in the Being an American Essay Contest. It explores not only the rights of American citizenship, but also our responsibilities. Well-known author and journalist Juan Williams says this is a great opportunity to connect to our Constitution.”

0:19 JUAN WILLIAMS:
“I'd like to tell you about the Being An American Essay Contest. It’s a great opportunity for high school students to explore the rights, responsibilities, and civic values that unite us as Americans. The contest invites students to consider examples set by great Americans past and present, and provides both them and their teachers a chance to win cash prizes and a trip to Washington, D.C. Connect with your Constitution.”

0:43 CLOSING:
“The Contest, administered by the Bill of Rights Institute, a nonprofit organization offers cash prizes this year of more than $189,000 to both students and teachers alike. For details, visit www.BeingAnAmerican.org.”

CONTACT: Rachel Gillespie
703.894.1776 x25
rgillespie@BillofRightsInstitute.org 

Press Mentions

The list of press mentions is growing daily! The Being an American Essay Contest message has reached an audience of nearly 200 million people, in all 50 states, and around the world. If you would like to schedule an on-air interview about the Contest, please contact Communications Manager, Rachel Gillespie, via email or by phone at 703.894.1776 x25. The Institute has received hundreds of radio mentions, over 1,900 newspaper mentions, and has been run on 300 radio and television stations. Our coverage has reached all 50 states, and around the globe on the Armed Forces Radio Network. You can access the Press Release and Media Facts about the contest here.

Here are just a few of the major media outlets that have mentioned the Being an American Essay Contest:

 Print

• New York Times
• USA Today
• TIME Magazine
• Washinton Post
• US Newswire
• Chicago Tribune
• Denver Post
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Houston Chronicle
• Los Angeles Times
• Miami Herald

Radio

• WRVA - Richmond, Virginia
• WLIU (NPR) - New York, New York
• WFLA - Tampa, Florida
• WTOP - Washington, D.C.

Television

• CSPAN (1, 2, and 3)
• ABC Affiliates
• NBC Affiliates
• CBS Affiliates
• FOX Affiliates
• CNN

Online Publications

• eSchool News
• TheHill.com
• Yahoo News
• Law.com
• Library.com
• Department of Education
• InsideBayArea.com