The Council for America's First Freedom announces the 13th annual First Freedom Student Competition in its inaugural year as a national essay contest. The competition offers 9th - 12th grade students an opportunity to compete for $3,000, $1,500 and $750 awards as they examine religious freedom, its history, current importance and relevance in their lives.  This year students will address the topic: "Religious freedom is a founding principle of American democracy, but it is continually being redefined and, in many places, challenged. The great diversity of religions in America and the ongoing public discussion about religious freedom testify to the significance of religious freedom in our society. Give an example of how religious freedom is important in America today. Use specific evidence from the First Amendment and the American colonial period to explain how your example illustrates that religious freedom is as significant today as it was in the past."  For competition guidelines, and to learn about the First Freedom Center, click on: http://competition.firstfreedomcenter.org .