By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN

dobrien@dailynews.net

Competition in the "Being an American" essay contest now is open.

The contest, sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute, has proven beneficial for local and area students since its inception three years ago.

Students from Hays High School earned scholarship money as honorable mention finishers the first two years, and last year, sophomore Jacqueline Albin from Trego Community High School in WaKeeney was a top 10 winner for the West North Central Region in the contest.

In addition, HHS' Jennifer David, then a senior, last year won the Kansas Constitution Bee, which also is sponsored by the Bill of Rights.

David won a $750 scholarship, and her government teacher, Abby Maska, won an all-expense paid trip this summer to Washington as part of the "Kansas to DC" educator program.

The essay question is "What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?"

The top three student winners and their teachers from each of the nine geographical regions will be announced at a ceremony in Washington next spring.

The overall winner earns a $5,000 cash prize, with $2,500 going to the runner-up and $1,250 to the third-place finisher.

In addition, 126 more students, as well as their teachers, each will earn honorable mention prizes of $250.

"This contest is unique in that it gives students the opportunity to share their thoughts about how the principles expressed in America's founding documents shape and influence contemporary American citizenship," said Victoria Hughes, president of the Bill of Rights Institute.

More information about the contest, and the Bill of Rights Institute in general, can be found at www.beinganamerican.org.