An essay competition to consider (perhaps for extra credit)

Via e-mail, I just learned of this notable competition for law students sponsored by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  I urge all student to consider submitting an essay (after exams!) on the important topic selected by NACDL for this competition.  Here are the details:

NACDL Essay Competition Call For Entries: In keeping with its goal to promote diversity within the criminal defense bar, NACDL invites law students from accredited law schools in the United States to submit essays for a chance to be published in The Champion magazine.

Topic: It has been reported that from 1993 to 2008, the entering enrollment in law schools dropped by 7.5 percent for African-Americans and 11.7 percent for Mexican Americans (see AmLaw Daily article from January 2010, Study: Minority Law Student Numbers Dip as Law School Capacity Rises). With the numbers of historically underrepresented minorities seeking a law degree either stagnant or dropping in recent years, what steps would you recommend for increasing diversity in the profession and, in particular, on the bench? And why?

Eligibility: The contest is open to all current law students who are in good academic standing at accredited law schools in the United States.

Prizes: There will be one first prize winner, one second prize winner, and one honorable mention.

1.The first prize winner will have his or her winning essay published in a forthcoming edition of NACDL's magazine, The Champion; receive a $200 cash prize; receive a free one-year student membership; and receive a certificate of recognition.

2.The second prize winner will have his or her winning essay published in a forthcoming edition of NACDL's magazine, The Champion; receive a $100 cash prize; receive a free one-year student membership; and receive a certificate of recognition.

3.The entrant who receives an honorable mention will have his or her winning essay published in a forthcoming edition of NACDL's magazine, The Champion; and will receive a certificate of recognition.

Entries must be received by 5:00 pm on December 31, 2010.  Please email entries to Terrica Redfield at tredfield@schr.org; subject line NACDL Essay Contest.  [Complete contest rules can be downloaded here.]

Award Date: Winning entrants will be notified on February 1, 2011.

As the title to this post hints, I will be inclined to give a smidgen of extra credit to any student who sends me a copy of any essay produced for this NACDL competition.