Charter Panel Announces Preamble Writing Contest

Today’s high school students have an opportunity to make an impact on the laws that govern the city of Los Angeles in the future.

The Elected Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission is sponsoring a contest open to high school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, giving them an opportunity to write a preamble to the proposed charter. The charter proposal will be put to a vote on next June’s ballot.

“The purpose of the contest is to get our young citizens, who are going to be the main beneficiaries of the charter, to get involved in a very important aspect--writing the preamble, which is a visionary statement of what this city charter should be for its citizens,” said Geoffrey Garfield, administrative director for the commission.

Each preamble draft must be no longer than 150 words, typed and double spaced, and must be postmarked by Nov. 13. Results will be announced Dec. 1.

Five winners will each be awarded a $1,000 savings bond; four runners-up will each receive a $500 savings bond.

Entries are to be mailed to the Elected Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission, 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1111, Los Angeles 90017, and must include the student’s name, address, telephone number, grade level and school.

For more information, call (213) 977-6700 or visit the Web site at www.LACharter.com. Rules and results will be posted on the Web site.