Constitution Day returns to Ohio Southern with new writing contest for high school juniors

Conversations about the Constitution will take center stage once again at Ohio University Southern this fall, with a new opportunity for high school juniors to find their own voice on the page.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, students from across the region will gather at OHIO Southern for the annual Constitution Day event, a civic education program designed to bring America's founding document to life. New this year, the campus is introducing the Constitution Day Writing Contest, inviting juniors from across the tri-state region 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.

The day connects directly to America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the country's upcoming 250th anniversary. Through keynote presentations, small-group activities and a student-led mock trial, participants will explore the separation of powers, federalism and the Bill of Rights in ways that blend history with real-world application. Educators may register their classroom to attend online.

Dean Deborah Marinski said the addition of the writing contest gives students a new way to engage with the program.

"We want students to walk away with more than knowledge. We want them to feel ownership of the Constitution," said Marinski. "By writing about the Articles and Amendments that matter most to them, students get to make the case for how this document still shapes their lives.”

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Robert Pleasant, director of student services at OHIO Southern, said the event opens the door for juniors to experience college learning alongside their peers.

"When high school students step onto our campus, we want them to see themselves here," Pleasant said. "Constitution Day gives juniors from across the region a chance to engage with big ideas, work alongside their classmates and experience what learning at OHIO Southern feels like. The writing contest takes that one step further. It invites students to find their own voice on a constitutional principle and share it with our community."

The contest is open to high school students entering the 11th grade during the 2026 to 2027 academic year from the following counties in OHIO Southern's service area: Lawrence, Scioto, Gallia and Jackson counties in Ohio; Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Mason and Rowan counties in Kentucky; and Cabell and Wayne counties in West Virginia. Essays must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2026. Full eligibility, prompt and submission details are available at ohio.edu/southern/community/constitution-day.

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.