Constitution Day
A civic education event for high school juniors
Constitution Day
Constitution Day
Each year Ohio University Southern hosts a Constitution Day event for high school juniors from across the tri-state region. The program is designed to bring America's founding document to life through keynote presentations, small-group activities and a student-led mock trial.
The day connects directly to America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary, encouraging students to see the Constitution not just as a historic text but as a living framework that still shapes their daily lives. Participants explore the separation of powers, federalism and the Bill of Rights in ways that blend history with real-world application.
Constitution Day at OHIO Southern is free to participating schools, and each student receives a copy of the Constitution to take home. The program is supported by local educators, community leaders and America 250 Lawrence County.
Constitution Day Writing Contest
New for 2026, OHIO Southern is introducing the Constitution Day Writing Contest. High school juniors from across the tri-state region are invited to submit an analytical essay connecting an Article or Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to their own world. The winning essay will receive a $250 prize and be announced publicly at the Sept. 17 event.
Who is eligible?
Open to high school students entering the 11th grade during the 2026 to 2027 academic year from the following counties:
Ohio: Lawrence, Scioto, Gallia, Jackson
Kentucky: Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Mason, Rowan
West Virginia: Cabell, Wayne
Contest Prompt
Write an analytical essay connecting a specific Article or Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to your own world. Your essay must address all three of the following:
A current event. A recent news story, policy decision, court case or public debate that involves the constitutional principle you have chosen.
A personal experience. A moment from your own life, school, community or family that connects to this constitutional right or structure of government.
A civic issue. A broader challenge facing your community, state or nation that relates to how this constitutional principle is, or is not, being upheld.
Your essay should build an argument about why the Article or Amendment you have chosen matters today. Use your current event and personal experience as evidence to support that argument, and conclude with a reflection on what citizens, communities or government can do in response to the civic issue you have identified.
Any Article or Amendment is eligible. Students are encouraged to look beyond the most frequently cited provisions and explore the full text of the Constitution.
Need a starting point? Consider questions like:
- What rights do I have that I have never had to fight for, and what would happen if I did?
- When has government power helped or failed someone I know?
- What news story made me think that is not fair or that is not right?
Essay Requirements
Length: 800 to 1,000 words
Format: typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, standard margins
Your title page must include student name, school name, student telephone and email, and parent or legal guardian name, telephone and email.
Use of AI
This essay should reflect the student's own voice, experiences and writing. Generative AI tools may be used for limited support such as brainstorming, outlining or checking grammar, but they may not be used to produce the essay text. Students who use AI in any way beyond basic proofreading must include a brief disclosure describing what tool was used and how. Essays that appear to be written primarily by AI may be disqualified.
Judging
Essays will be evaluated on clear argument and thesis, strong connection to a constitutional principle, effective use of evidence and examples, organization and structure, and writing style, grammar and mechanics.
The judging panel includes a high school teacher, history and political science faculty at Ohio University Southern, a history major at OHIO Southern and a local judge.
Deadline
To be considered, the entry and completed entry form must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 4, 2026. Late entries will not be accepted.