"Hudson Valley Students: I Want to Hear From YOU!": ONE WEEK LEFT to Enter Congressman Pat Ryan's Summer Reading Challenge and America 250 Essay Contest

One week ahead of the August 31st submission deadline, Congressman Pat Ryan is encouraging Hudson Valley students to sign up for his Second Annual Summer Reading Challenge and America 250 Essay Contest

Students grades K-8 can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge here; high school students grades 9-12 can sign up for the America 250 Essay Contest here

KINGSTON, NY - Today, Congressman Pat Ryan is renewing his call for Hudson Valley students to participate in his Summer Reading Challenge and America 250 Essay Competition one week ahead of the submission deadline.

Ryan's Second Annual Summer Reading Challenge is open to Hudson Valley students grades K-8. Participating students track their reading, and all those who complete five or more books before August 31st will receive a Congressional Certificate of Achievement.

Ryan launched his America 250 Essay Contest in July in celebration of the country's 250th anniversary. The contest is open to all Hudson Valley high school students (grades 9-12), and submissions are due on August 31st. Participating students can pick between five prompts to reflect on America's history and explore their hopes and visions for our country's future. All participants will be recognized with Congressional Certificates, and the winner will be invited for a Capitol tour and to meet with Congressman Ryan in Washington, DC.

Submissions to both the Reading Challenge and Essay Contest are due one week from today on Monday, August 31st. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge here and the America 250 Essay Contest here.

NY-18 students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to enter Congressman Ryan's America 250 Essay Contest. Students will write a 300-500 word essay in response to one of the following prompts:

1. What does America mean to you?
2. What do you value about American Constitutional democracy and what are your hopes for its future?
3. How do you view your generation's role and responsibility as an active participant in America's democracy?
4. If you could create a constitutional Amendment, what would it be and why?
5. Who is an American Founder you value and why?

Submissions to both the Reading Challenge and Essay Contest are due one week from today on Monday, August 31st. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge here and the America 250 Essay Contest here.

For more information, please contact Congressman Ryan's office at (845) 443-2930.

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