Students can take part in civil rights essay contest

PLYMOUTH NOTCH — The Calvin Prize Essay Contest invites Vermont students to write a speech they would give as president to advance civil rights for a particular group or groups. While progress has been realized, civil rights for all American citizens continues to be an ongoing process, sometimes with setbacks, according to a press release from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, based in Plymouth Notch.

These powerful ideas will explored in the Foundation’s 2018 Calvin Essay Contest. The contest is open to all Vermont students, or students who go to school in Vermont, age 13 through 19 and is due May 11, 2018.

A first-place prize of $1,500 and second-place prize of $500 will be awarded.

During his political career, President Calvin Coolidge reached out publicly to many different groups that were experiencing prejudice. He gave a commencement speech at historically black Howard University, spoke at the dedication of the Jewish Community Center in Washington D.C., addressed the (Catholic) Holy Name Society, signed the Indian Citizenship Act, and supported a black candidate for political office by confronting those who would deny the candidate that right, according to the press release.

Students can let their voices be heard through the 2018 Calvin Writing Prize: What speech would you give as President to advance Civil Rights? For full information and resources, see coolidgefoundation.org, contact [email protected], or call (802) 672-3389.

All are also invited to the Presidents Day Open House from noon to 4 p.m., with a presentation on this essay’s topic at 1 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 19 in Plymouth Notch.

Visitors will have a chance to hear “President Coolidge,” portrayed by Tracy Messer, will share portions of his Feb. 22, 1926 speech to the National Education Association. The talk will begin at 2 p.m., shortly after a preview of the upcoming season at Plymouth Notch by Site Administrator William Jenney.