Winners Announced in NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Annual Second Amendment Essay Contest

FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA -- The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund recently announced the winners of its annual Second Amendment essay contest for students in grades K-12, celebrating the Second Amendment as an integral part of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The theme for the essay was, The Second Amendment to the Constitution: Why it is important to our nation. The contest was open to all students enrolled in an elementary, junior high, or high school during the 2007-2008 academic year who had not previously received a prize. More than 680 essays were submitted this year.

Essays were judged on originality, scholarship and presentation. Prizes were awarded in two categories, senior (grades 10-12) and junior (grades nine and below). The first-place prize in each category was $1,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds, with $600 in savings bonds awarded for second place, $200 in savings bonds for third place, and $100 in savings bonds for honorable mentions.

In the senior category, first place went to 17-year-old Aaron Middleton of Humble, Texas, while Kelsey Johnson, 14, of Billings, Mont., won first place in the junior category. A complete list of winners follows.

Commenting on her first-place finish, Johnson said, "First and foremost, it was an honor to be chosen for first place. I was overjoyed upon receiving the news. I hope my essay makes a difference to others because I believe the Second Amendment to be the safeguard of all our other rights."

The deadline for students to enter the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's 2008 essay contest is December 1. For more information about the contest and how to enter, please visit www.nradefensefund.org/writingcontest.aspx.

NRA Second Amendment Essay Contest Winners

Senior Category

First Place: Aaron Middleton, age 17, Humble, TX

Second Place: Anna Roberts, age 17, Walnut Shade, MO

Third Place: Kenton Sena, age 17, Hebron, KY

Honorable Mention: Mariah Stuart-Bell, age 16, Chehalis, WA

Junior Category

First Place: Kelsey Johnson, age 14, Billings, MT

Second Place: Priya Purewal, age 12, Irving, TX

Third Place: Victoria Gu, age 14, Wakefield, RI

Honorable Mention: Rishi Kapadia, age 13, Cerritos, CA