Welcome to the 2024 Freedom Center of the Rockies Essay Competition.
Open to all Colorado 11th & 12th Grade Students
(Charter, Homeschool, Private, or Public)
The Freedom Center of the Rockies awards 6 x $250 scholarships to 11th and 12th Grade students currently attending or planning to attend
either 2 year or 4 year college. Essays must be turned in by March 31st, 2024. See below for details and good luck!
About FREEDOM CENTER OF THE ROCKIES
Freedom Center of the Rockies (FCR) is a Nonprofit Corporation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, registered with the Colorado Department of State (CDOS).
FCR promotes seven core values in the Front Range region:
1. Government should be limited.
2. Local private action solves problems.
3. Statesmanship and diplomacy are essential.
4. People must be free.
5. Economic markets must be free.
6. Partnerships with similar organizations build strength.
7. In God We Trust.
Essay Purpose & Central Question
Purpose: To encourage civic and character growth, as well as reward academic excellence relatable to genuine, current concerns of American citizens.
Central Question Your Essay Must Answer:
Given the national debt, federal spending, and taxes (such as income, Social Security, Medicare, and gasoline) how should the states propose a Federal Balanced Budget within the legal framework of the United States Constitution?
Essay Grading Rubric
1. As stated in the rules, essays are submitted using MS Word or Adobe Acrobat pdf, with Times New Roman/12 Font, double-spaced, at approximately 1000 to 1250 words (4 to 5 pages). A reference list is included for any sources cited.
2. Grading includes the following qualities of good writing:
a. Relevant to the Central Question.
b. Good diction and descriptive language.
c. Sound, logical reasoning and point of view.
d. Relevant facts and content part of the essay.
e. Interesting ideas within the legal framework of the United States Constitution.
3. Clear and complete writing and analysis skills, per Colorado Department of Education writing standards (Common Core) for the 11th Grade. The standards are located at the CDE web address, https://www.cde.state.co.us/coreadingwriting/statestandards.
Essay Rules
1. The essay submission must be from a current high school junior or senior (11th or 12th Grade) in Colorado. This may include any student in a public, private, charter, or homeschool environment.
2. The essay must address the central question stated above.
3. Essay must be typed via Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat pdf, using Times New Roman/12 font.
4. Essay length is between 1000 to 1250 words (approximately 4 to 5 pages, double-spaced).
5. As an original work, references should be cited and listed on the last page. Contestants can list by APA, MLA, or Grammarly, etc. formats. The key is that sources are cited and listed, such as the United States Constitution.
6. For the judging rubric, go to the “Essay Grading Rubric” in this section.
7. Scholarship winners may apply the award of $250 to the individual needs of the student (i.e. tuition, books, fees, laboratory, parking, living expenses, etc).
8. Essays will be archived by FCR as part of the scholarship program. With permission from the legal guardian, a winning essay may be published in local or regional media by FCR.
Essay Timeline
Send your essay by March 31st, 2024,
to Dr. Chuck Duray, at chuckduray@yahoo.com.