Words to live by. I've discussed them before. Now it's time to put them into play and use them.

I'm talking directly to teenagers and teachers in all the school districts in La Salle County.

Powerful words linked together as the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution spell out five freedoms, including freedom of the press, that impact our lives every day.

These freedoms are embedded in the mission of the Illinois First Amendment Center, which has an invitation for all high schools I want to share. Two invitations, actually.

Two contests, with cash prizes, are under way now. The real prize, however, is learning more about the First Amendment and putting it into practice.

The first contest is simple enough — a poster contest, and this year's theme is freedom of speech. Students in grades nine through 12 are eligible. Posters are judged on artistic quality, theme and message that best portrays Freedom of Speech. All entries are due no later than 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2010. Judging will be done in January.

Rules get more detailed regarding size and methods. I won't get into those details here. All is spelled out at the First Amendment Center's Web site — www.illinoisfirstamendmentcener.com — or contact Amanda Plunkett at 217-241-1300 or aplunkett@illinoispress.org. You also can see previous winners on the Web site.

The second contest by the IFAC is more important. There are cash prizes also, but the mission of this contest is huge — to help students start a high school newspaper.

The contest was launched this fall with the help of a grant from the Chicago Tribune Foundation.

The rules note the purpose of the contest is to provide the motivation for schools to create a scholastic newspaper and the opportunity to win cash prizes that may be used to implement permanent school newspapers. Establishing a school paper, however, is not a condition of winning.

Of course, the purpose is to get students excited about having their own newspaper. This is not like drawing pictures on posterboard. This contest needs real support from school administrators and teachers.

It's sad that most schools in La Salle County do not have student newspapers. They could take a lesson from Ottawa Township High School, which does have a journalism program.

The skills involved in putting out a paper go a long way in preparing teens for the real world. Name any subject taught in any school and it comes into play in a newsroom. Most important, though, is that student reporters walk away from the experience knowing more about themselves and the world they must live and work in.

Reporting is a learning experience from the first day until the last. The process should be part of every school curriculum. And it would not happen without the First Amendment.

"What better way to teach about the First Amendment than through production of an actual newspaper," said Sue Montalvo, director of the IFAC, when announcing the contest. "We want to engage students and instill an appreciation for their First Amendment rights and responsibilities."

School budgets are tight, which is why the IFAC offers prize money that could be used to buy a computer or a camera or fund some aspects of news production.

The contest is open to all schools, public and private if they do not already have a school-sponsored paper. Entries may be for print or online with cash prizes for both categories. Print papers may be mock-ups rather than standard newspapers with pages sizes 8 1/2 by 11 inches or larger. Online entries must submit a working URL for a Web site.

Schools are allowed to submit only one entry (either print or online) by 4 p.m. Monday, March 1, 2010. The cash prizes are $1,500 for first place, $750 for second and $500 for third.

Entries must include a written explanation (maximum 550 words) that outlines the process by which your newspaper project came together, any obstacles encountered and how you dealt with them and how the cash prize would be used.

Judging will be in March and will cover such things as design and typography and content including quality of writing, creativity, relevancy of stories to students, use of photos and/or advertising and spelling, punctuation and grammar.

For all the details and entry forms go to the IFAC Web site.And to figure out why you should enter either one of these contests go to the U.S. Constitution. Read the First Amendment.

Sometimes the best way to protect and preserve something is to use it.

• LONNY CAIN is Managing Editor of The Times. To share thoughts, comments or ideas, please call 815-431-4041 or e-mail lonnyc@mywebtimes.com or attach a comment to this column on our Web site. You are also welcome to stop by or mail to The Times, 110 W. Jefferson St., Ottawa, IL 61350.