Rendells Together To Promote Citizenship Center's Essay Contest
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Ten finalists were announced today in an essay contest being run by the citizenship foundation of former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell and federal judge Midge Rendell.
The newly established Rendell Center for Citizenship and Civics -- created in partnership with Arcadia University and the National Constitution Center -- is holding an essay contest for Philadelphia area elementary school students.
Recently, more than 100 Philadelphia area schools participated in the center's first project, an essay contest called the "2013 Citizenship Challenge."
Ed Rendell says fourth- and fifth-graders were given a question -- one that becomes more relevant by the year:
"The question for this year's citizenship challenge was, 'To become president of the United States, the Constitution states that an individual has to be a natural-born citizen -- meaning born in the United States. Do you think this requirement should remain or be removed from the Constitution?' "
Midge Rendell announced the ten finalists.
The top school will get $1,000; three runners-up will get $500 each. Winners will be announced next month.
The mission of the Rendell Center is to promote civic education and engagement.
