Contest Question, Rules

February’s essay contest asks Ventura County teens to address a question that’s hot both locally and nationally.

The topic: Ventura County Judge Robert Bradley recently was arrested twice on suspicion of drunk driving. President Clinton has been accused in a sex scandal. Are the media paying too much attention to the private business of public leaders, or serving the legitimate interests of citizens?

Here are the contest rules:

* Eligibility: Any Ventura County high school student may enter.

* Content: Essays must be no longer than 600 words and be each author’s original work.

* Required information: Entries must include the writer’s name, age, grade and school. A home address and phone number also must be supplied, but will not be published.

* Deadline: Essays must be received by noon Feb. 23.

* Submission: Entries should be mailed or delivered to: Education Page Editor, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. They may be submitted by fax (653-7576) or e-mail to jack.robinson@latimes.com.

* Judging: Winning entries will be chosen by Times editors for originality, persuasiveness, logic and handling of the mechanics of writing, such as grammar, spelling and syntax. Research and reference to current events will be considered. Decisions are final and within the discretion of The Times.

* Publication: Contestants must agree to publication of their work in the newspaper and on the Los Angeles Times Web site, subject to editing. Entries will not be returned and may be used by The Times, its agents, assigns or licensees, in any manner and any media now known or hereinafter devised. Entries and entrants’ names may be used by The Times for promotion purposes.

* Prizes: The winner, to receive $100, will be announced on the Education Page on March 2.