Volunteer graders are needed for the eighth annual High School Essay Contest sponsored by the lawyers and judges of the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association.
The contest is open to high school students in counties in the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District of Florida: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Hamilton, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee and Union.
Students in the ninth through 12th grades attending public, private, parochial or charter schools and home-school or virtual students of equivalent grade status may participate. Children, grandchildren, stepchildren and members of the household of a federal judge, a federal court employee or a member of the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association are excluded.
Student essay submissions are due by Sept. 30. Essays submitted and scoring materials will be distributed to volunteer attorney-graders by Oct. 6. Graders will have until Oct. 21 to return their scoresheets.
The judges in the Jacksonville Division will review the top 10 essays, and winners will be announced at a recognition ceremony in December at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse in Jacksonville. More than $6,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to students and their teachers.
Volunteer attorney-graders typically are asked to review 10-12 essays and only a numerical score is required (no comments). A scoring rubric will be provided.
Visit tinyurl.com/3tkvzn93 to volunteer. Alternatively, if you have questions or prefer email, contact Kirsten Clement: [email protected] or 904-301-6820.
Students may visit tinyurl.com/bj8d4y34 for the essay prompt, entry form and prize information.