1. How to Enter: Please electronically submit your essay with the completed online application form at www.unausa.org/essay2010. All application forms must include an electronic participant signature, as well as Parental Consent if the applicant is under the age of 18, and must be submitted online by January 5, 2010.

2. Your Essay: Your essay should be no longer than 1,500 words, typed and double spaced with your name, permanent address, permanent phone number, email address, school name, and year in school (as of January, 2010) on the top of each page. If more than one page is used, each page must be numbered. Students must produce their own work, using information from other sources where appropriate. All references must be clearly marked and can appear as parenthetical citations, endnotes or footnotes. Materials used for research that are not cited in the student's essay should be listed in a bibliography page at the end.

3. Eligibility: The UNA-USA National High School Essay Contest is open to all US students in grades 9 - 12. Immediate family members of employees of UNA-USA (children and siblings) and persons living in the same households as such individuals are ineligible.

4. Prizes: One first place winner will receive a scholarship of $1,500, as well as airfare and accommodations for him/herself and one parent or guardian to attend UNA-USA's Member's Day, held at the United Nations Headquarters in March 2010, as an honored guest. There, the winner will receive his or her award in a formal ceremony before UNA-USA's members. One second place winner will receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,000. One third place winner will receive a scholarship in the amount of $500. All scholarships will be awarded in the form of a check. Each winner's essay will be sent to the new United States President through appropriate UNA-USA channels. The first place UNA-USA prize includes: roundtrip coach class airfare from a major airport near the winner's residence to New York City for the winner and one parent or legal guardian; and two (2) nights' hotel accommodations (standard room, double occupancy). Approximate Retail Value ("ARV"): $1,500. Winner and parent/legal guardian must travel together. Dates of trip will be determined by UNA-USA. Winner and parent/legal guardian must be able to travel within 14 days notice. All other expenses and costs not expressly listed above including, but not limited to, ground transportation, meals, purchases made during trip, and taxes, are the winner's and parent/legal guardian's sole responsibility. Winner and parent/legal guardian must travel on the same itinerary. Flight details are subject to space availability and airline carrier's regulations and conditions apply. The trip may not be combined with any other offer and travel may not qualify for frequent flyer miles. If major airport near to the winner's home is in the New York Metropolitan area, Grand Prize will not include airfare and no substitution or compensation will be provided. Any picture identification requirements associated with air travel are the winner's and parent/legal guardian's responsibility. Sponsor is not responsible for lost or mutilated travel certificates and none will be replaced. UNA-USA will mail each award check in the amount expressed above for the first, second and third place national winners within one month of the official contest awards ceremony to be held in March 2010.

5. Selection:

Preliminary round: All eligible Application Submissions received by the above deadline will be reviewed by a qualified panel of local UNA-USA Chapter Members whose decisions as to the selection of Semi-Finalists are final. Semi-Finalists will be selected and forwarded to UNA-USA headquarters for review and selection of Finalists by January 30, 2010.

Second round: Qualified judges of the UNA-USA staff will evaluate the Application Submissions of the Semi-Finalists using the National Judging Criteria. From these evaluations, the first, second and third place national winners will be selected on or about February 27, 2010. Please refer to the National Judging Criteria, available at www.unausa.org/essay2010, for more detailed information on scoring. Winners will be notified by phone. The decisions of the Judges are final. Winners will be required to complete and sign, or if he/she is a minor, have his/her parent or legal guardian sign, an Affidavit of Eligibility, Waiver of Liability, Publicity Release ("Contest Documents") and return forms to UNA-USA, 801 2nd Avenue, NY, NY 10017 attn: 2010 National High School Essay Contest within seven days of being notified that he or she has won. Upon receipt by UNA-USA of the completed and signed Contest Documents, these semi-finalists will be deemed first, second and third place winners under these Contest Rules. A complete list of Semi-Finalists will be available at www.unausa.org/essay2010, on or about February 6, 2010. First, second and third place winners names will be available at www.unausa.org/essay2010, on or about February 27, 2010.

6. Additional Terms: By participating, applicants agree a) to the Official Rules, and the decisions of the UNA-USA judges, which shall be final in all respects; and b) to release, discharge and hold harmless UNA-USA, as well as their respective officers, directors, and employees from all claims or damages arising out of their participation in the Contest. By accepting a prize, winners or, if minors, their parents or legal guardians agree, where legal, to the use of their names and/or likenesses and essay response with this Contest and its promotion without any additional compensation.