2023 Student Essay Contest from U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

One hundred years ago, the Supreme Court’s decision in Meyer v. Nebraska declared that a state law prohibiting teachers from teaching grade school children any language other than English violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. In 1968, the Supreme Court declared in Epperson v. Arkansas that a state law forbidding the teaching of evolution in public schools, colleges, and universities violated the First Amendment.

In light of Meyer and later cases, may a state, consistent with the protections afforded by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, prohibit the teaching of certain subjects?


The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is seeking submissions for its 2023 essay contest.

High school students are invited to consider and share their thoughts on the question: "In light of Meyer and later cases, may a state, consistent with the protections afforded by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, prohibit the teaching of certain subjects?"

The contest is open to all students currently in grades 9 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Essays are limited to 1,000 words and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Students have the opportunity to win one of three cash prizes: first place, $2,000; second place, $1,500; and third place, $1,000. Winners will be announced in August, and the winning essays will be presented at the court's Essay Awards Program in September 2023.

For additional information and instructions on how to submit an essay, visit www.ca4.uscourts.gov/essay-contest.

For questions, contact the Fourth Circuit Clerk’s Office at essaycontest@ca4.uscourts.gov or (804) 916-2706.

Please note: Prior award winners as well as children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and members of the household of a federal judge or federal judiciary employee are excluded from the competition.

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Office of the Clerk

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

1100 E. Main Street, Suite 501

Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 916-2706

www.ca4.uscourts.gov/essay-contest