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Park President Declares Democracy DayBy Summer A. Evans - September 6, 2005 - 8:43 amEmail this article | Printer friendly page | Media Inquiries Park University President Beverley Byers-Pevitts has declared Tuesday, Nov. 8, "Democracy Day" as a major civic literacy effort. The theme of this year's Democracy Day is the U.S. Constitution, supporting recent federal legislation proclaiming Sept. 17 as Constitution Day. To celebrate the Constitution Day, Park University, along with Presidents Park in Williamsburg, Va., is sponsoring an essay contest for all high school seniors in the Greater Kansas City area and in Virginia. The selected topic, "The Constitution as a Living Document," allows participants to consider ways the Constitution is important to Americans, as well as to the world as democracy is fast becoming the most commonly embraced form of government. The grand prize winner of the contest will receive a $2,000 Park University scholarship or a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice. Five Kansas City-area first place winners will receive $100 each. The winners' essays will be posted on the Park University and Presidents Park web sites. Essays will be judged by distinguished panels of scholars and public officials in Missouri and Virginia. In addition, Park is providing 5,000 free printed copies of The U.S. Constitution and Fascinating Facts About It (edited by Terry L. Jordan) to all participating schools for distribution to their seniors. These will be available on a first-come, first served basis. For more information about the Democracy Day essay contest, please contact Erik Bergrud at erik.bergrud@park.edu or visit www.park.edu/democracyday. |