Oklahoma high school students can win cash prizes by entering the 2014 Zach Taylor First Amendment Essay Contest sponsored by FOI Oklahoma Inc. Entrants have until Oct. 10 to submit their essays.

For this year’s essay, young writers are asked to select one of the freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment (speech, press, religion, assembly, or government petition) and write about its importance to our way of life.

Entries should be about 500 words, typed, double-spaced, and include the student’s name and grade, school, teacher’s name, principal’s name, student’s mailing address and phone number, and student’s email address.

Entries must be emailed to Bill Young, public information manager, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, bill.young@libraries.ok.gov. Word or .pdf documents are preferred. If you plan to send them in different formats, please contact Bill first. Thanks!

First prize is $300. Second place will receive $200, and third place will win $100. Seven students will receive honorable mentions and iTunes® gift certificates.

The cash prizes will be awarded on Nov. 5 at the 2014 First Amendment Congress at UCO in Edmond.

For questions concerning the essay contest, contact Bill Young at (405) 522–3562 or (405) 370–3750.