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Submissions are now being accepted for the 2018 Councilmember for a Day challenge sponsored by Councilmember Craig Rice (D-District 2), chair of the council’s Education Committee.

Current students in eighth grade through junior year in high school may enter by submitting a video of two minutes or less, or written essays of 500 words or less, that address two questions:

In your opinion, what is the most important public policy issue facing young people today?

What suggestions do you have for national, state and local leaders to address this issue?

Ten students will be chosen as finalists based on the quality and creativity of their entries. The finalists will receive prizes ranging from $25 to $250 and official council certificates at the council’s Youth Town Hall meeting in the fall.

The winning student will be selected from this group. That student will shadow Rice for a day and:

Be guest of honor at a council breakfast

Receive a council proclamation

Participate in a full council meeting, and

Receive a top prize of $500.

In addition, the winning student and his or her parents will have dinner with Rice and his staff.

“I am excited to see what our talented and socially conscious students will submit in terms of issues that are important to them,” said Rice in a press release. “I want our young people to know they are heard and that their ideas and views matter very much.”

The 2017 challenge winner was Moira Johnson from Montgomery Blair High School.

Entries for the 2018 contest can be submitted online. The deadline for entry is 5 p.m. Friday, June 15.