Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area is pleased to announce the Junior Achievement Essay Competition, sponsored by David M. Rubenstein. This fall, Junior Achievement invites students from the Greater Washington Region to compete for a $20,000 award. The competition is open to any student in the 9th - 12th grade from August 18 – October 15, 2008, and asks students to write a 1,000-1,500 word essay on "Greater Washington – Why it's the Best Region to Build and Grow a Business." Students are able to submit their essays to Junior Achievement either online or via postal mail. The first place winner will receive a $20,000 award, will be recognized at the prestigious 20th Anniversary Washington Business Hall of Fame on December 2, 2008, and will have his or her essay published in the January 2009 issue of Washingtonian. Nine additional runner-up winners will each receive a $10,000 award and be recognized at the 20th Anniversary Washington Business Hall of Fame. Please visit our website at http://www.myja.org/students/essay/ for additional information, official rules, and an online application form.