Official Rules & Regulations

Section I – General Rules for College Students
From September 18, 2020 to September 17, 2021 (the “Contest Period”) Constituting America will conduct the “We the Future” speech, song, STEM, short film, and PSA contest (the “Contest”) in the 50 States of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories and the American Armed Forces Schools Abroad.

The speech topic is: Recognizing our form of government is a Republic, how do our First Amendment (RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) rights enable the citizens to influence the laws of our country or initiate a constitutional amendment and, in so doing, prevent the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat).

The song subject is: As citizens under a republican form of government, how do we use the First Amendment (RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) to change the laws of our country or create a constitutional amendment and, in so doing, prevent  the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat).

STEM subject is:

Proposed (pick 1 of 4 STEM projects and include 2 paragraphs as to how you would market your project.

Technology

Option 1: Please create a web interface that effects change using your First Amendment rights

Engineering

Please create a phone application that can be used by Constituting America to incorporate the various materials on our website (videos, essays, founding documents, white papers, etc.)

Math

Option 1: Please create a graphical representation of our amendment process. It should include the years that all of the amendments have been ratified and how long each amendment took to be ratified from initiation to ratification. Please include brief background material on how the amendments originated.

Option 2: Please create a quantitative analysis of the effects of a certain amendment. Example: How many 18-20 year olds have voted since the 26th amendment, and what is the effect on voting results? Conduct an analysis of female voting patterns since the 19th Amendment, or African American voting patterns since the 15th amendment.

Science

How did the freedoms outlined in the Declaration and the Constitution accelerate science and scientific thinking?

The short film subject is: Please create a 10-20 minute short film that represents how the Constitution (specifically the first amendment and our election process) prevents thus preventing the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat). Incorporate historic examples.

The PSA subject is: (1) Please create a 30 OR 60 second commercial that represents how the first amendment rights (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) can be used as tools to effect change in the country and/or amend the Constitution, thus preventing the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat). OR  (2) Why are civil civic conversations important in our society today?

To enter, students and/or parent/guardians are encouraged to fill out the online Contest Sign-up form, indicating their intent to enter the contest, including the line on the form giving parental consent. Contest updates and deadline reminders will be sent to the students signing up for the contest in advance.

Submissions due no later than 11:59 p.m. September 17, 2021 to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com with subject line: COLLEGE ENTRY. See Official Rules Section III for complete submission instructions and guidelines.

• Speech: Entry should be recorded and posted to YouTube (640 x 360 minimum, HD preferred) or Vimeo (download enabled). The first line of the video description in the online submission must read: Submitted to Constituting America’s We The Future 2021 Contest www.constitutingamerica.org.. The following must be emailed to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com: Entry permission form, YouTube or Vimeo link, and written copy of your speech. Pls include your name, age and grade on all pages of the entry package.

• Song: Submissions should be uploaded to YouTube (640 x 360 minimum, HD preferred) or Vimeo (download enabled), must include a video recording of the performance or still photo with audio in background. First line of song description in online submission must read: Submitted to Constituting America’s We The Future 2021 Contest www.constitutingamerica.org. Must email Entry/Permission form and YouTube or Vimeo link, lyrics and music to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com.

• STEM: Applicable links to your STEM project and any PDF files may be emailed to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com or uploaded to the website through the contest entry portal.

• Short Film & PSA: Submissions should be uploaded to YouTube (640 x 360 minimum, HD preferred) or Vimeo (download enabled). The first line of the video description in the online submission must read: Submitted to Constituting America’s We The Future 2021 Contest www.constitutingamerica.org. The following must be emailed to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com: Entry permission form; YouTube or Vimeo link; script. Pls include your name, age and grade on all pages of the entry package.

• Entries must be received by email no later than 11:59 p.m., September 17, 2021 but may be submitted at any time from November 15, 2020 to September 17, 2021. Early entries are appreciated and encouraged.

As further detailed in Section VII entrants and parent/guardians agree to accept and be bound by all terms of these Official Rules and Regulations and the decisions of Constituting America, whose decisions are final with respect to all matters of the Contest.

Only one entry per student per category is permitted. Incomplete, late or entries which contain unrequested information, or otherwise fail to comply with these Official Rules and Regulations will not qualify for consideration for the Contest. By entering the Contest, entrants and their parent/guardians acknowledge and agree that the entry along with any and all documentation submitted therewith will become the sole property of Constituting America and will not be acknowledged or returned. Entrant and their parent/guardian represent and warrant that the entry is an original work and does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party, is unpublished (in any form or medium) and has not won an award. Constituting America may edit any entries for grammar, modify for style only, and entrant and their parent/guardian hereby grant Constituting America a license to record the song, distribute submitted material to third parties for purposes of publication or production, to publicize the contest, with no additional notification or permission of the entrant or parent/guardian. Submitted material will only be used to further the educational mission and goals of Constituting America (please see Section VI for a Notice to Parents and Privacy Policy), including, but not limited to, featuring the song, speech, PSA and short film on the Constituting America website, and putting them on a DVD for promotional distribution for the contest. Constituting America also reserves the right to produce or sell any “app” submitted, and to incorporate any computer software into our existing website.

Section II – Qualifications
The College Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students enrolled in a college or university, carrying 12 hours or more, age 17 to 24 years old at the time of entry.

Students must attend school in one of the 50 States, District of Columbia, all U.S. Territories, or American Armed Forces Schools abroad.

“We The Future” Contest winners are limited to winning twice, and may not win more than once in the same category. We encourage all former “We The Future” Contest winners to join our Youth Advisory Board! Please email ConstitutingAmerica@yahoo.com for details and to join!

Section III – Speech, Song, STEM, Short Film, and PSA Instructions
All entries that utilize copyrighted music, film clips or photos MUST obtain the proper licensing permissions IN ADVANCE of submitting the entry, in order to be considered.

1. Speech Topic: Recognizing our form of government is a Republic, how do our First Amendment (RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) rights enable the citizens to influence the laws of our country or initiate a constitutional amendment and, in so doing, prevent the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat).

Speech must be no longer than 10 minutes, and no shorter than 5 minutes. Speech entry should be recorded and posted to YouTube (640 x 360 minimum, HD preferred) or Vimeo (download enabled). The first line of the video description in the online submission must read: Submitted to Constituting America’s We The Future 2021 Contest www.constitutingamerica.org. The following must be emailed to WeTheFuture202o@yahoo.com: Entry permission form, YouTube or Vimeo link, and written copy of your speech. Pls. include your name, age, and grade on all pages of your entry package.

2. Song: Theme: As citizens under a republican form of government, how do we use the First Amendment (RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) to change the laws of our country or create a constitutional amendment and, in so doing, prevent  the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat).

The song must be an original pop, country, rock, or other popular genre, song composition, lyrics and music, written by the student, no longer than 3:20. Song submissions should be uploaded to YouTube (640 x 360 minimum, HD preferred) or Vimeo (download enabled) and must include a video recording of the performance or a still photo with audio in background. It must be sung by the student. The song may be written, performed and submitted by a team of not more than two people. The first line of the song description in the online submission must read: Submitted to Constituting America’s We The Future 2021 Contest www.constitutingamerica.org. The following must be emailed to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com: The completed Entry/Permission form with signed parental consent (if under 18); YouTube or Vimeo link; and lyrics and music. The completed Entry/Permission form with signed parental consent, must be emailed, with subject line: COLLEGE ENTRY. The student’s name, grade and age must be on each page of the song submission.

3. STEM:

Proposed (pick 1 of 4 STEM projects and include 2 paragraphs as to how you would market your project.

Technology

Option 1: Please create a web interface that effects change using your First Amendment rights

Engineering

Please create a phone application that can be used by Constituting America to incorporate the various materials on our website (videos, essays, founding documents, white papers, etc.)

Math

Option 1: Please create a graphical representation of our amendment process. It should include the years that all of the amendments have been ratified and how long each amendment took to be ratified from initiation to ratification. Please include brief background material on how the amendments originated.

Option 2: Please create a quantitative analysis of the effects of a certain amendment. Example: How many 18-20 year olds have voted since the 26th amendment, and what is the effect on voting results? Conduct an analysis of female voting patterns since the 19th Amendment, or African American voting patterns since the 15th amendment.

Science

How did the freedoms outlined in the Declaration and the Constitution accelerate science and scientific thinking?

Please email us a summary of your project to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com, with the subject line, and depending on what you have developed/created, we will work with you on the best way to submit your project.

4. Short Film subject is: Please create a 10-20 minute short film that represents how the Constitution (specifically the first amendment and our election process) prevents thus preventing the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat). Incorporate historic examples. Must be an original film written and directed by the student. Up to two students may collaborate on and submit the short film. It must be no shorter than 5 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes in length.

Short film submissions should be uploaded to YouTube (640 x 360 minimum, HD preferred) or Vimeo (download enabled). The first line of the video description in the online submission must read: Submitted to Constituting America’s We The Future 2021 Contest www.constitutingamerica.org.. The completed Entry/Permission form with signed parental consent (if under 18), must be emailed, with You Tube or Vimeo link, and script to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com with subject line: COLLEGE ENTRY. The student’s name, grade and age must be on each page of the short film script.

5. Public Service Announcement (PSA) subject is: (30-second or 60 second): (1) Please create a 30 OR 60 second commercial that represents how the first amendment rights (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) can be used as tools to effect change in the country and/or amend the Constitution, thus preventing the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d’etat). OR  (2) Why are civil civic conversations important in our society today?  It must be 30 or 60 seconds in length, originally written and directed by the student and recorded. Up to two students may collaborate on and submit the PSA.

PSA submissions should be uploaded to YouTube (640 x 360 minimum, HD preferred) or Vimeo (download enabled). The first line of the video description in the online submission must read: Submitted to Constituting America’s We The Future 2021 Contest www.constitutingamerica.org.. The completed Entry/Permission form with signed parental consent (if under 18), must be emailed, with YouTube or Vimeo link, and script to WeTheFuture2021@yahoo.com with subject line: COLLEGE ENTRY. The student’s name, grade and age must be on each page of the PSA script.

Section IV – Judging Process
After the expiration of the Contest Period, the judges selected by Constituting America will review all entries and submissions which comply with these Official Rules and Regulations and select one (1) winning speech, one (1) winning song, (1) winning STEM, one (1) winning short film, and one (1) winning PSA. Judges reserve the right to not make an award in any category and/or make multiple awards per category. Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Adherence to instructions stated in Section III

2. Speech: originality, neatness, spelling, grammar and form

3. Song: original song appealing to broad base of youth

4. STEM: originality, and usefulness in aiding students to learn about the U.S. Constitution

5. Short film: originality, appeal to college age group

6. PSA: originality, appeal to college age group, likeliness to be aired by a television station

The odds of winning are proportional to the amount of entries received. Winners will be notified sometime after September 17, 2021.

Section V – Awards and Prizes
The five college winners will be contacted directly through contact information provided on the Contest Signup Form. Winners will also be announced on www.constitutingamerica.org.. As a condition to receiving any awards, the winners must provide publicity photos and may be required to return a liability release and publicity release within 10 days following the date of notification. Winners will receive:

BEST SPEECH – 1 Entry Chosen
1. Worldwide exposure on the Constituting America website as Best Speech, College 2021
2. Public Appearances (to be determined)
3. Certificate for winning Best Speech, College 2021
4. $2000 Scholarship Prize

BEST SONG – 1 Entry Chosen
1. Worldwide exposure on the Constituting America website as official Constituting America College Song, 2021
2. Television Appearances (to be determined)
3. Certificate for winning Best Song, College 2021
4. $2000 Scholarship Prize(If team submission, prize is split)

BEST STEM – 1 Entry Chosen
1. Worldwide exposure on the Constituting America website as Best STEM, College 2021
2. Public Appearances (to be determined)
3. Certificate for winning Best STEM, College 2021
4. $2000 Scholarship Prize

BEST SHORT FILM – 1 Entry Chosen
1. Worldwide exposure on the Constituting America website as official Constituting America College Short Film, 2021
2. Television Appearances(to be determined)
3. Certificate for winning Best Short Film, College 2021
4. $2000 Scholarship Prize(If team submission, prize is split)

BEST PSA – 1 Entry Chosen
1. Worldwide exposure on the Constituting America website as official Constituting America College PSA, 2021
2. Television Appearances(to be determined)
3. Certificate for winning Best PSA, College 2021
4. $2000 Scholarship Prize(If team submission, prize is split)

All entrants and their parents/guardians are solely responsible for understanding and complying with any and all federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances that may apply to the entrants and the activities or business in which such entrants may engage. Tax consequences may be associated with the prizes received by a Contest winner, which may include, without limitation, an obligation to report as income and to pay taxes on such income to federal, state, or local authorities. It is the responsibility of each Contest winner to determine the tax consequences of the prizes received and to comply with all applicable laws in all respects.

Section VI – Notice and Privacy Policy
Upon submission of entry, the material entered becomes the property of Constituting America. By entering the Contest, entrants and their parent/guardians grant Constituting America the right, unless prohibited by law, to use their names, cities and states of residence, pictures and likenesses without compensation, for the express purpose of advertising and publicity of the Contest in any and all media, now or after. Entrants and their parent/guardian also grant Constituting America permission to use their name and materials submitted to further its mission as stated on www.constitutingamerica.org.. Privacy Policy and Notice to Parents are posted on www.constitutingamerica.org.. Entrant and his or her parent/guardian hereby agree and acknowledge the provisions set forth in the Privacy Policy and Notice to Parents.

To receive further information about Constituting America, students, parents or guardians must click “Sign Up for Email Updates” on the front page of the website at www.constitutingamerica.org..

Section VII – Disclaimer
Constituting America will administer any and all aspects of the Contest, including, without limitation, evaluating a student’s qualification or material submission, judge selection, review of entry documents and information, determination of prize winners, all of which is in the sole and absolute discretion of Constituting America. Any and all decisions of Constituting America relating to the administration of the Contest are final in all respects and no student, parent /guardian or person or organization related thereto, has a right to appeal, contest, and dispute or otherwise challenge such administration.
Constituting America is not responsible for (i) incorrect or inaccurate entry information whether caused by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized by this contest or by any human error which may occur in the processing of entries into this contest; or (ii) for lost, late, misdirected or delayed entries or electronic transmission errors or technical malfunctions.

If for any reason, the Contest is interrupted, delayed or negatively affected by any causes beyond the control of Constituting America, Constituting America reserves the right to cancel, modify or delay the Contest.

Section VIII – Nondiscrimination Policy
Constituting America will not discriminate in any manner, including on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in its administration of the Contest. Each eligible entry submitted will be evaluated upon the merit of its contents and the criteria described in Section IV.
This Contest is governed by the internal laws of the state of Texas without regard to principles of conflict of laws. If any provision of these Official Rules and Regulations is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision herein.

“We the Future” Scholarships offered by Constituting America are not affiliated with Apple, Inc.