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November 18, 2004

High school essay contest
focuses on video games and violence

The Legischool Project, a civic education program at California State University, Sacramento, is holding its annual essay contest for high school students. This year's topic is "Video Games and Young People: Access and Rights."

Ten winners will be chosen to travel to Sacramento to take part in the project's Student Legislative Summit at the State Capitol on Thursday, April 7. The event includes participation in a student-run press conference with state leaders, lunch at the Capitol, tours of the Capitol and California State History Museum, and meetings with journalists and government leaders.

Students entering the contest should answer the following: Do violent video games contribute to aggressive behavior among young people? As a society have we become desensitized to violence and if so, what might the consequences of this be? Do you think that the provisions of the new video game rating bill, AB 1793, will be effective tools for parents? Should government be involved in access to video games or should this be left entirely to parents and their kids?

Entrants must be high school juniors and seniors. Essays must be typed, double-spaced, 750 words or fewer and include the student's name, home address, phone number, name of high school and teacher who announced the contest. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 21 and submitted to: CSUS, Center for California Studies, LegiSchool Essay Contest, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6081.

LegiSchool is a civic education project of Sacramento State and the State Legislature, administered by the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State.

For more information and entry details, call (916) 278-6906 or visit www.csus.edu/legischool. For media assistance, contact Sacramento State public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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