NOW DEBATE THIS
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln '08: The Great Debate

INDEX

ABOUT US

THE OFFICIAL RULES / LEGAL INFORMATION

PRIVACY

CONTACT

ABOUT US (back to Index)

Now Debate This is produced by Pinnacle Performance Group (PPG), headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Founded in 1992, PPG specializes in heritage education and heritage development programs. Mary L. Hagy is President of PPG and Executive Producer of Now Debate This. Mary has a long career in the public and private sector, in theatre as a writer and producer, and in heritage education. Mary has produced many successful performing arts and film/television projects, many of which focus on American history. Her stage plays, “While Lincoln Lay Dying,” “In Sun and Snow,” and “Lost in the Archives,” explore the impact of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy. Mary Hagy is co-founder of the Civil War History Consortium in Philadelphia (www.civilwarconsortium.org), a project to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Civil War. She is co-founder of Lincoln’s Great FairTM (www.lincolnsgreatfair.org), a nationally-endorsed commemoration of Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial to be held in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, May 27-31, 2009.
Steven Feldman Emmy award winning TV director Steven Feldman has worked with talent as varied as Bill Nye, Linda Ellerbee, Bill Maher and Elmo for PBS, CBS, Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, MSNBC and Discovery. His credits include Sesame Street, the ‘Nick News, Politically Incorrect, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Suess, the current Nickelodeon hit, LazyTown and the debut musical theatre production for Walden Media, Rock Odyssey. In addition he has produced and directed documentaries on prison life for MSNBC and is currently developing a documentary feature about the life of David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam”. He also consults for SAT7, a satellite television network that broadcasts Arabic, Farsi and Turkish language programming to the Middle East and North Africa. Based in Nashville, newly formed Sam Hill Entertainment (www.samhill.tv) acquires, develops and produces content for a variety of audiences and platforms. Each project we undertake must resonate with truth, and benefit our audience with a deeper understanding of our relationship and responsibility to each other. Mr. Feldman lives in Nashville with his wife Leah, daughters Mary and Sarah, cats Daisy, Thea and Oliver, birds Poteet and Amy, and Sam Hill, a perpetually growing standard poodle.
Randy Lee Brennan Randy L. Brennan is the Now Debate This, Director of Logisistics. As the daughter of an US Army Officer she was born in Landstuhl Germany and lived in Germany, France, Republic of China (Taiwan), and various locations in the United States. She joined the Federal Civil Service in 1972 at US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Her career as a Civilian Executive includes many logistical and management assignements for the US Army and Army National Guard organizations in the United States and Europe. Now retired from Federal Service as a Senior Management Analyst, Randy was responsible for the transformation of the US Army from a focus on the wars of the Twentieth Century to a focus on Twenty First Century threats. Her final assignment was at Headquarters US Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe VA in May 2008. During her work as a Senior Executive, Ms. Brennan’s management, analytical and organizational skills and knowledge were recognized by her assignment to solve problems at Army and National Guard activities in all 50 states and the US territories. During her free time Ms Brennan is busy working with Special Olympics and Boy Scouts and Girl Scout Activities. She currently resides in Newport News VA.
Dr. Allen C. Guelzo is the Henry R. Luce Professor of the Civil War Era and Director of Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He is also the Associate Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. He was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1953, and grew up in Springfield (Delaware County), Pennsylvania. He holds the MA and PhD in history from the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous books on American intellectual history and on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era, beginning with his first work, Edwards on the Will: A Century of American Theological Debate, 1750-1850 (Wesleyan University Press, 1989). His second book, For the Union of Evangelical Christendom: The Irony of the Reformed Episcopalians, 1873-1930 (Penn State University Press, 1994), won the Albert C. Outler Prize for Ecumenical Church History of the American Society of Church History. He wrote The Crisis of the American Republic: A History of the Civil War and Reconstruction for the St. Martin’s Press American History series in 1995, and followed that with an edition of Josiah G. Holland’s Life of Abraham Lincoln (1866) in 1998 for the University of Nebraska Press’s ‘Bison Books’ series of classic Lincoln biography reprints. His most important work, Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President (Wm. Eerdmans, 1999), won both the Lincoln Prize and the Abraham Lincoln Institute Prize in 2000. In 2003, his article, “Defending Emancipation: Abraham Lincoln and the Conkling Letter, August, 1863,” won Civil War History’s John T. Hubbell Prize for the best article of that year. His second major Lincoln book, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America (Simon & Schuster, 2004), won a second Lincoln Prize in 2005, and his most recent work, Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates That Defined America, has just been published by Simon & Schuster. He has written for the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, First Things, the Claremont Review of Books and Books and Culture, and has been featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday” and Brian Lamb’s “Booknotes.” He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Abraham Lincoln Association, the Abraham Lincoln Institute, and the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, a member of the advisory council of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and a Research Associate of the McNeil Center for Early American Studies (at the University of Pennsylvania) and is a member of the American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic, the Society of Civil War Historians, and the Union League of Philadelphia. He has been a fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies (1991-2), the McNeil Center for Early American Studies (1992-3), the Charles Warren Center for American Studies at Harvard University (1994-5) and the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University (2002-3). Together with Patrick Allitt and Gary W. Gallagher, he team-taught The Teaching Company’s new edition of its American History series, and (also with The Teaching Company) has released a series on Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln, and a series on American intellectual history, The American Mind. He lives in Paoli and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Debra.
Stuart Leibiger is currently an associate professor and chair of the department of History at La Salle University. He received his BA from the University of Virginia and his MA and PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He specializes in Revolutionary and Early National America. His book, Founding Friendship: George Washington, James Madison and the Creation of the American Republic, now in its third edition, was published by the University of Virginia Press in 1999. He has written numerous articles on the Founders for historical magazines and journals, and has been a historical consultant for television documentaries and museums. He has worked on the editorial staffs of the Papers of George Washington and the Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Since 2004, he has served as the Scholar-in Residence at the National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History Teacher Workshop at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Patrick Spero is the Associate Producer of Now Debate This! He specializes in improving history education and will be largely responsible for the educational component of Now Debate This! Mr. Spero is also a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the recipient of a five-year Benjamin Franklin Fellowship and is currently a fellow at the McNeil Center for Early American Studies. His research focuses on revolutionary America and he has published on early American print culture and politics. He has worked on six NEH Landmarks in American History teacher workshops. In this role, he organized travel to Philadelphia, planned curriculum, and led tours of Philadelphia for over 210 teachers. In addition to his work in Philadelphia, he has studied in France, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ghana. Prior to graduate school, he was employed at America Online in their Interactive Marketing Division.
SPONSORS: Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr., and Dr. Josephine Templeton Washington and Lincoln 2008: The Great Debate, is made possible by the generous support of Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr., and Dr. Josephine Templeton. Drs. Templeton, both lovers of history, have long supported educational, scholarship and heritage projects. Washington-Lincoln ’08: The Great Debate evolved from Dr. Jack Templeton’s admiration of the Founding Fathers, especially George Washington, and Dr. Pina Templeton’s admiration of Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy. The Templeton’s are both pediatric physicians whose commitment to children and America’s youth has been an inspiration to many. Born in Capri, Italy, Dr. Josephine Templeton (Pina) came to the United States in 1949 with her family when her father was transferred here by his company. Much of her early education was in the United States until she returned to Italy in 1961 to attend Medical School. Pina returned to the United States for post-graduate training in medicine first at the Medical College of Virginia where she met her husband John M. Templeton, Jr. (Jack). Pina then completed a residency in Anesthesiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania followed by a Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia under the Leadership of Dr. John Downes. After a two-year hiatus in Porthmouth, Virginia, while her husband was in the Navy, she returned to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care under Dr. Jack Downes. Pina is currently retired from the practice of medicine and is involved in philanthropic activities, including her church, and as a member of several committees at the Union League of Philadelphia, and served as former Board member of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. After receiving a B.A. degree from Yale University, Dr. Templeton earned an M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School. He did his internship and residency in surgery at the Medical College of Virginia and subsequently trained in pediatric surgery under Dr. C. Everett Koop at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. After serving in the U. S. Navy, he returned to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 1977, where he served on staff as a pediatric surgeon. In 1995, he retired as Professor of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Templeton serves as President of the John Templeton Foundation. He is also Chairman of the Board of Templeton Growth Fund, Ltd., which was founded by his father, John Templeton, who is a chartered financial analyst. Dr. Templeton is author of, A Searcher’s Life, 1999, and Thrift and Generosity: The Joy of Giving, 2004.
BUZZPLANT has significant experience in the interactive marketing space. From executing online marketing activities, to building high quality ecards and splash pages, to developing complex dynamic database driven websites. In addition we have completed rebranding projects, built ecommerce platforms and managed complete online consumer marketing campaigns for a range of clients. Buzzplant’s core strengths are in developing cutting edge internet marketing and promotional strategies to create a ‘buzz’ online about a client’s event, product or service. Buzzplant has worked on major movie projects such Walden Media's 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' and 20th Century Fox's 'The Passion of the Christ'. They have also worked for a number of major publishers on the release of both fiction and non-fiction titles including Thomas Nelson, Zondervan and Navpress. In addition Buzzplant has done substantial work for various record labels including INO records promoting artists and albums via ecards, eblasts, flash games and banner campaigns. http://www.buzzplant.com GROUND FORCE NETWORK Ground Force Network (GFN) provides effective and affordable viral, and peer-to-peer marketing solutions. GFN uses it's experienced team, cutting edge technology and large database of 'Field Agents' to create and execute successful word-of-mouth campaigns. Ground Force's non-traditional, 'grassroots' methodologies can stand-alone or supplement marketing programs to connect with consumers in ways that traditional media buys cannot. Visit http://www.groundforcenetwork.com for more information.

THE OFFICIAL RULES / LEGAL INFORMATION (back to Index)

FLORIDA RESIDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE.

NOW DEBATE THIS IS A SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION (THE “COMPETITION”) OPEN ONLY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE: STUDENTS AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE, OF THE 11TH GRADE OR EQUIVALENT IN GOOD STANDING AND HAVE THE INTENTION TO ATTEND A REGIONALLY ACCREDITED FOUR-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN FALL 2009, PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH, AND LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES (EXCLUDING THE PUERTO RICO AND ANY OTHER U.S. TERRITORIES). NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS COMPETITION AND NO PURCHASE WILL IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. COMPETITION WINNERS MUST SUCCESSFULLY FULFILL ALL COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF AND AGREEMENT TO ALL OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES. THIS COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

COMPETITION DATES AND TIMES: The Competition begins on April 19, 2008 at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time U.S. (“ET”), and ends on September 25, 2008 at 11:59:59 PM ET U.S. (the “Competition Period”). The Competition is comprised of five different rounds, three of which include judging events pursuant to which prizes will be awarded. The following is the Competition Schedule.

SPONSOR AND ADMINISTRATOR:  The Competition is sponsored by Pinnacle Performance Group, with a main address at The Destin Suite, 318 Fitzwater Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (the “Sponsor”). The Abraham Lincoln Foundation with a main address at the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, (215) 587-5583 will administer the Scholarship funds awarded as set forth hereinSponsor. Sponsor shall not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Errors or other materials relating to the Competition.

ELIGIBILITY: Subject to additional restrictions set forth below, the Competition is only open to individuals who are: (i) 16 years of age or older; (i) proficient in English; (iii) legal residents of the United States; (iv) registered members of YouTube in good standing, per YouTube member Terms of Use (available by clicking here) and (v) are 11th grade students or equivalent in good standing who intend to attend a four year regionally accredited undergraduate college or university in Fall 2009. Competition winners must successfully fulfill all of Sponsor requirements, including enrolling at such a college or university, prior to receiving any scholarship awards.  A qualified entrant shall be an “Entrant” for purposes of these Official Rules.  Approval of a parent or legal guardian will be required for all stages of the competition.

In order to be eligible for the Competition each Entrant must also be available to participate in all program activities, including travel within the Continental United States, on or about the following dates:
a. June 17-22, 2008 (Travel for contestant announcements and technical training)
b. June 23-July 23, 2008 (at home/in community studies)
c. July 24-August 12, 2008 (Travel for study immersion program)
d. September 15-30 (Travel for Final Debate—note that the travel will be no more than three days within this period)

This Competition is not open to employees, officers, directors or students of the Sponsor, the Sponsor’s parents, affiliated and subsidiary companies, advertising and promotion agencies, legal and financial advisors and any and all other companies associated with this Competition (collectively the “Group”), and their respective immediate families. "Immediate family" is defined as: parents, spouses, children and siblings regardless of where they live, or any persons living in the same household as anyone belonging to the Group. The Competition is void and not available in Puerto Rico or in any other U.S. territories or possessions or where prohibited by law.

HOW TO ENTER COMPETITION: No purchase is necessary. Entrants must create a video essay, between two (2) and three (3) minutes in length, and upload the submission to the Now Debate This Channel on You Tube, subject to the requirements set forth in these Official Rules (an “Entry”). This will require registration as a You Tube member. There is no fee or charge to become a You Tube member. Entrants must also complete the online application form for Now Debate This, hosted on the Now Debate This website located at www.NowDebateThis.com (the “Competition Site”). Instructions for the creation and uploading of an entry will be provided on the Competition Site and include clicking on a link to the YouTube web site where video essays are to be uploaded. It is a requirement of entry that these instructions be followed. Entries must also be submitted during the times set forth in the Section titled Competition Dates and Times set forth above. Limit one (1) Entry per eligible Entrant. If more than one Entry is submitted by an Entrant in the Open Call, only the first Entry received (based on date and time received) by that Entrant will be judged. Entries not submitted in accordance with the instructions provided on the Competition Site, the YouTube member Terms of Use or these Official Rules, shall not be considered in the Competition.  

NOW DEBATE THIS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION VIDEO TECHNICAL AND CONTENT REQUIREMENTS:

   •    Running Time: Two (2) minutes minimum to three (3) minutes maximum
   •    Maximum File Size: 100MB
   •    Video Formats: YouTube accepts video files from most digital cameras, camcorders and cell phones  in the .WMV, .AVI, .MOV and .MPG file formats
   •    Language: All English dialog or with English subtitles.
   •    Content Guidelines: The following content guidelines are a requirement of entry and must be included:
 
*Beginning your video by announcing your name, age, hometown, and state and spend up to 30-seconds telling us about you and your plans for college, and then announce which of the following questions you will answer in your video:
*What is the most important duty of a president in the role of Commander In Chief, and why?
*What does patriotism mean to you?
*What can the Declaration of Independence tell us about life in 2008?

The Entrant’s choice of question will not be weighted as a positive or negative in judging.

ENTRY TERMS: By entering, Entrants agree to, accept and will comply with: YouTube’s Terms of Use (www.youtube.com/t/terms) and Privacy Policy (www.youtube.com/t/privacy), the Now Debate This privacy policy located at the Competition Site (the “Now Debate This Privacy Policy”) and with these complete Official Rules.

Entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the Entry, approval of a parent or legal guardian, and all licenses, rights, assignments of rights, waivers of non-transferable rights, consents and permissions to the Entry or performance contained in such Entry, and to all underlying elements or other works incorporated into the Entry (including without limitation the dialog/monologue, music and lyrics performed, the use and exhibition of the Entry by Sponsor in the manner set forth in these Official Rules, including without limitation, name, voice, statements, photos and likeness releases for any person who appears in or is identifiable in the video) (collectively, the “Clearances”).

The Entrant represents, warrants and agrees that the Entry: (i) is the original work of the Entrant; (ii) has not previously been submitted in any competition and has not won an award or prize of any kind; (iii) does not infringe or violate the rights of any third party, including but not limited to, copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, logos, contract and licensing rights, rights of publicity or privacy, moral rights, or any other intellectual property rights; (iv) is not subject to any third party agreements, and that the Sponsor will not be required to pay any sums or incur any obligations to any person or entity as a result of its use or the exploitation of the idea or video or rights therein; (v) does not contain any content that is likely to be considered offensive by the Sponsor or could adversely affect the name, reputation, or goodwill of the Sponsor; and (vi) complies with the YouTube Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Now Debate This Privacy Policy and these Official Rules.  

The Entrant further represents, warrants and agrees that he/she: (i) consents to the submission and use of the Entry in the Competition including without limitation, its posting on the Internet in connection with the Competition; (ii) has obtained the required Clearances and will make them available to the Sponsor upon request; and (iii) has obtained the required permits from local authorities and other regulatory permissions and will make them available to the Sponsor upon request.

Group Entries will not be accepted.

DISQUALIFICATION: Sponsor reserves the right to verify the legitimacy of all submitted releases, approvals and permissions, or, in addition to the Clearances, to supply a release or any other form (e.g., affidavit, travel release, assignment of copyright, etc.) to an Entrant which must be executed in full and returned within 48 hours of attempted notification. If the appropriate form(s) are not received as directed, the Entrant will be disqualified from any further participation in the Competition and any unused prizes (cash and non-cash) shall be forfeited and retuned to Pinnacle Performance Group even if the Entrant’s name may have been shown/announced online or via television.

Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Entries if, in the Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion, an Entry that: (i) trademarks, logos, copyrighted material or any other proprietary or intellectual property rights not owned by Entrant or used without permission (such as company names, music, photographs, works of art or images published on or in websites, television, movies or other media); (ii) contains profanity, pornographic or sexual content, content promoting alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, or firearms or weapons, or hateful content of any kind (including racism, sexism, etc.), content that promotes violence or harm to another living creature; Sponsor(iii) defames, misrepresents or contains disparaging remarks about other persons or companies; or (iv) contains materials embodying the names, likenesses, photographs or other identifying elements of any person, living or dead, without permission.

If the Sponsor, in their sole discretion, believe the Entry, the awarding of the prize or the Competition itself violates any applicable law, rules or regulations, the Sponsor may at any time and without liability to any person disqualify an Entry, refuse to award a prize, or suspend, modify, or cancel all or any part of this Competition.

Sponsor reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to disqualify any Entrant found tampering with the Entry process or Entry materials, and to suspend, modify, or cancel all or any part of this Competition for any reason or no reason at all.

PRIVACY: Any personal information collected from the Competition (including from an Entry) shall be used and disclosed only in a manner consistent with the consent given by Entrants at the time of Entry, with these Official Rules, and with the Privacy Policies which can be found at www.youtube.com/t/privacy and www.NowDebateThis.com. All Competition information is collected in the United States.  

Entrants agree that in consideration of their participation in the Competition, Sponsor, or any third party in Sponsor’s sole discretion including You Tube shall have the right and permission in Sponsor’s sole discretion to edit, adapt, modify, reproduce, publish, promote, display or otherwise use their name, city and state of residence, photograph, video, testimonial, image or other likeness and/or prize information or personal exposition (and/or any edited portion thereof) for promotional, advertising and/or publicity purposes in any media, now or hereafter known throughout the world in perpetuity, without compensation or notice to, or further consent of, the Entrant to the extent permitted by law.
 
ROUND ONE (first judging event): JUDGING CRITERIA/NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS/PRIZES

Judging. All eligible Entries received during the Open Call for Entries that have satisfied the technical and content requirements set forth in these Official Rules will be judged by a panel of judges composed of representatives selected by the Sponsor (the “Open Call Panel”). The Open Call Panel will score each eligible Entry based on the following judging criteria and associated point score (0 = worst; 25 = best):

• Creativity and Originality (up to 25 points)
• Depth of analysis and insight about and relationship of the video content to the question selected (60 points)
• Technical Execution: Camera/Sound/Lighting/Editing/Speaking ability (up to 15 points)

Based on the foregoing criteria, the Open Call Panel will determine the top scoring twenty (20) Entries, of which the top sixteen (16) will be known as the “Competitors” and the next four (4) Entries will be known as the “Alternates.”  In the event of a tie, all tied Entries will be re-judged by an additional judge selected by Sponsor who will break the tie using the same judging criteria. The Open Call Panel’s decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this Competition. If the Sponsor does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries, and/or if any Competitor or Alternate fails to return the Competitor/Alternate Additional Documentation described in the following paragraph by June 9, 2008 , Sponsor reserves the right to use fewer than 16 Competitors and/or to disqualify any Competitor or Alternate, or select an Alternate to qualify as a Competitor.

Notification. The sixteen (16) Competitors and four (4) Alternates will be notified by telephone and/or email on or about June 2, 2008 and will be required to submit to Sponsor any and all documentation, including without limitation any releases, waivers or affidavits requested by Sponsor in its sole discretion executed by Competitor/Alternate, and, if Competitor/Alternate is a minor, executed by such Competitor’s/Alternate’s parent or legal guardian (collectively, “Competitor/Alternate Additional Documentation”). If any Competitor/Alternate Additional Documentation sent by any means to a Competitor /Alternate are returned as undeliverable or if a Competitor or Alternate fails to properly execute and return all Competitor/Alternate Additional Documentation within the time noted, or if a Competitor or Alternate is found not to be eligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules and/or the YouTube terms and conditions, the Competitor or Alternate will be disqualified and the next highest scoring Entry may be moved up to a Competitor or Alternate, as applicable, and notified (time permitting) at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.

Prizes. Subject to compliance with these Official Rules, each Competitor will advance to Rounds Two and Three and each Competitor will receive a base stipend of $3,500, a computer, and digital camera (the “Round One Prizes”) to be used to fulfill the requirements for Rounds Two and Three. The estimated retail value of the computer and digital camera is $2,000. After the successful completion of Rounds Two and Three, the Round One Prizes will be the property of the Competitors.

ROUND TWO AND ROUND THREE (there are no judging events in these rounds)
In Round Two, all sixteen students will be provided their own section of the Now Debate This website, on which they will chronicle the work they will accomplish in their own communities. This work will consist of video interviews, blogs, essays and assignments.  Round Three will consist of a two-week immersion study tour, during which students will visit historical sites related to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and continue to prepare for the main competition. Participants will again have regular assignment to complete and daily blogging and other assignments and exercises. The immersion study tour ends in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and the competition begins. During Rounds Two and Three, the Competitors are not allowed to have any sources of income other than the $3,500 stipend received unless approved in writing by the Sponsor. Should a Competitor accept other forms of income during this time without approval from the Sponsor, they will be disqualified from the Competition and the unused portion of the stipend money and the non-cash prizes received will be forfeited by the Competitor and returned to Pinnacle Performance Group. The non-cash prizes will be returned via insured UPS delivery at the disqualified Competitor’s expense. The same disqualification penalties apply to any Competitor unable or unwilling to perform all of the requirements of the Competition, including project assignments, travel, and interviews and other duties as determined by the Sponsor over the course of the competition. To be eligible to participate in Rounds Two and Three, each Competitor is required to read and agree to a Code of Behavior provided by Sponsor that includes without limitation, a prohibition on the use of drugs (except prescription drugs authorized by the student’s doctor and parents), alcohol or tobacco products, firearms or other weapons.

ROUND FOUR (second judging event): JUDGING CRITERIA/NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS/PRIZES

Judging. The sixteen (16) Competitors will compete, in a round-robin debate competition (the “Round-Robin Debate”), of which the two Competitors with the highest scores in the Round-Robin Debate will be declared the finalists (the “Finalists”). The Round-Robin Debate will be judged by a panel of judges composed of representatives selected by the Sponsor (the “Round Robin Panel”), who may take into account the information received by the online, or possibly television viewing, public. The Round-Robin Panel will judge the Round-Robin Debate using the following criteria:

• Quantity and quality of Well Developed Arguments (40%)
• Communication Skills (20%)
• Use of Evidence (empirical and analytical) (20%)
• Rate of Delivery (20%)

Notification. The two Finalists will be notified in person or by telephone and/or email on or about August 9, 2008 that each is a Finalist and will advance to the next Round.

Prizes. The Sponsor will award an aggregate amount of $50,000 in scholarships among all the Competitors who successfully complete the Round-Robin Debate, not including the two Finalists. All scholarship money awarded shall be used solely to attend an accredited college or university acceptable to the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The Sponsor will allocate the scholarship money using the judging scores awarded by the Round-Robin Panel; provided that each of the 14 remaining Competitors successfully completes the Round-Robin Debate will be awarded at least $2,000 in scholarship money.

ROUND FIVE (final judging event): JUDGING CRITERIA/NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS/PRIZES

Judging. During the period from on or about September 15 through September 30, 2008, the two Finalists will debate, live on the Internet and possibly on television. The public will have the opportunity, on September 15 through September 30, 2008 (the “Grand Prize Voting Period”), to vote to determine the Grand Prize Winner using the same criteria used by the Round-Robin Panel to judge the Round-Robin Debate as set forth above. During the Grand Prize Voting Period, votes may be cast by visiting the Competition Site or by calling or texting a telephone number designated by Sponsor. Each individual will be permitted to vote only one time. At the conclusion of the Grand Prize Voting period, the total votes received will be tabulated by the Sponsor. The Finalist with the most votes will be deemed the Grand Prize Winner and the other Finalist will be the Second Place Winner. In the event of a tie, the debate will be re-judged by a panel of judges selected by Sponsor, who, using the same judging criteria as described above, will break the tie.

Notification. The prize winners will be announced at www.NowDebateThis.com, at www.youtube.com and possibly on television, on or about the period September 15-30, 2008.

Prizes. The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded a $150,000 scholarship to attend a regionally accredited college or university. The Second Prize Winner will be awarded a $50,000 scholarship to attend a regionally accredited college or university.

Designation as a Competitor, Finalist and/or a Grand Prize Winner or Second Prize Winner is subject to compliance with these Official Rules and YouTube terms and conditions and final approval by Sponsor. All of the judge’s decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this Competition.

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Entrants must (i) enroll in and attend a full academic year at an accredited four year college or university to receive their full scholarship (2 consecutive semesters, beginning in fall 2009 and concluding in spring 2009 or as otherwise approved by Sponsor; and (ii) end this first year at any such college or university in good academic standing. Failure to comply with the foregoing requirements will result in disqualification in accordance with the terms of the disqualification section of these Official Rules.

Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books and room and board, at the winner’s regionally accredited four year college or university of choice. The funds shall be maintained in a restricted education account until such time as the funds are required. The funds shall be administered by The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, (215) 587-5583 or as otherwise determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion..

Entrant is responsible for all costs not specifically included in the prize description, including without limitation, all federal, state, provincial, country or other tax liabilities, which shall be the sole responsibility of each Entrant. All details of prizes not specified herein shall be determined solely by Sponsor. The two finalists’ scholarship awards will be disbursed based on a five-year graduation plan. If the student does not graduate in five years from the date of enrollment, the remainder of the scholarship shall be forfeited.

DISCLAIMERS AND TERMINATION OF COMPETITION: Sponsor and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, agents and employees, and any Internet access providers (collectively “Released Parties”) are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate entry of information, human error, technical malfunction, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failure of any telephone, computer or other network, computer equipment, software or any combination thereof, inability to access the YouTube web site, problems uploading or downloading any Competition-related materials from the web site, or for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incorrect or incomplete Entries. For purposes of these Official Rules, receipt of Entry occurs when YouTube’s servers successfully receive the uploaded video file and the Entrant completes and submits a Now Debate This Online application form that includes the video title, description, entrant’s name, address, phone number and email address, and any other information as stated on the Competition Site.

Sponsor is not responsible if the Competition cannot take place or if prizes cannot be awarded due to delays or interruptions due to acts of God, acts of war, natural disasters, weather, acts of terrorism or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor.

If, in Sponsor’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of electronic or non-electronic tampering with any portion of the Competition, or if technical difficulties compromise the integrity of the Competition, the Sponsor reserve the right to invalidate suspect Entries or votes, terminate all or any part of the Competition and award the prizes in their sole discretion. The use of any automated launching or entry software or any other mechanical or electronic means that permits the participant to automatically enter or vote repeatedly is prohibited. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an Entrant based on an e-mail address and/or YouTube member account information, the authorized YouTube member account holder will be viewed as the Entrant. Further, the Entry in question due to identity dispute may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Sponsor. Should the Competition be terminated prior to the stated expiration date, Sponsor will endeavor to post notice of termination at www.youtube.com.

RELEASE AND INDEMNITY: By participating in the Competition, all Entrants, including without limitation all Competitors, Finalists, the Grand Prize Winner and the Second Prize Winner agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, its advertising and promotion agencies and each of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors, and the judges (including the Panel), from any and all liability, for loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever, including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death which may occur in connection with, preparation for, travel to, or participation in Competition, or possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of prizes or participation in any Competition-related activity and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy and merchandise delivery.

Entrant agrees not to instigate, support, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against Sponsor and its successors, assigns, investors, and licensees, or any other person in connection with this Competition, on the grounds that any use of any Entry, or any derivative works, infringe or violate any of Entrants’ rights therein.

ALL ENTRANTS ACCEPT THE CONDITIONS STATED IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES, AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE DECISIONS OF THE JUDGES (INCLUDING THE PANEL) AND THE PUBLIC, AS APPLICABLE, REPRESENT, WARRANT AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION, THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO GRANT THE RIGHTS RELATIVE TO THE ENTRIES AS PROVIDED HEREIN, AND THAT THEY RELEASE SPONSOR FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS AND DAMAGES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION AND/OR ENTRY IN THE COMPETITION, SPONSOR’S USE OF THE ENTRIES, AND/OR THE AWARDING OF OR USE OF ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN THIS COMPETITION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY/ DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY, BODILY INJURY, WRONGFUL DEATH OR DISABILITY, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND DAMAGE OR LOSS OF ANY KIND.

ANY ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE COMPETITION MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND, SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCH ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

ENTRANTS AND THEIR PARENTS, AND LEGAL GUARDIANS AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE SPONSOR AND THEIR SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND LICENSEES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, DAMAGES OR LIABILITY (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND EXPENSES) THAT MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST OR INCURRED BY ANY OF THEM AT ANY TIME, IN CONNECTION WITH ENTRY, OR USE THEREOF, OR BY THE ENTRANT’S BREACH OF ANY AGREEMENT (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THESE OFFICIAL RULES) OR WARRANTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPETITION.

GRANT: By entering this Competition and in consideration of the Entrant’s participation therein, and to the extent allowed by law, each Entrant grants to the Sponsor and YouTube and their successors, assigns, investors and licensees the absolute, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, assignable, sub-licensable right and permission to reproduce, translate, edit, modify, publish, exploit, distribute, display, transmit and use his or her Entry and the content of and elements embodied in such Entry in perpetuity in any and all media including but not limited to digital and electronic media, computer, audio and audiovisual media (whether now existing or hereafter devised), in any language, throughout the world, and in any manner, for trade, advertising, promotional, commercial, or any other purposes without further approval or consideration. Except where prohibited by Entrant’s local law, Entrants waive in favor of the Sponsor, YouTube and each of  their successors, assigns and licensees any and all claims that Entrants may now or hereafter have in any jurisdiction in respect of “moral rights” or “droit moral” or unfair competition with respect to their exploitation of Entries without further compensation to Entrants of any kind.

WINNERS LIST: The names of the Competitors, Finalists, the Grand Prize Winner and the Second Prize Winner will be posted on the Competition Site, www.youtube.com and other Internet venues. Sponsor will not be required to enter into any correspondence, including e-mail, with non-winning Entrants.

A copy of these Official Rules and the names of the Competitors, Finalists, the Grand Prize Winner and the Second Prize Winner may also be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope (Vermont residents may omit return postage) to Pinnacle Performance Group, with a main address at The Destin Suite, 318 Fitzwater Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Indicate whether Entrant is requesting the names of the Competitors, Finalists, the Grand Prize Winner and the Second Prize Winner, or a copy of these Official Rules, or both. Requests must be received no later than October 30, 2008.

PRIVACY (back to Index)

Any personal information collected from the Competition (including from an Entry) shall be used and disclosed only in a manner consistent with the consent given by Entrants at the time of Entry, with these Official Rules, and with the Privacy Policies which can be found at www.youtube.com/t/privacy and www.NowDebateThis.com. All Competition information is collected in the United States.  

Entrants agree that in consideration of their participation in the Competition, Sponsor, or any third party in Sponsor’s sole discretion including You Tube shall have the right and permission in Sponsor’s sole discretion to edit, adapt, modify, reproduce, publish, promote, display or otherwise use their name, city and state of residence, photograph, video, testimonial, image or other likeness and/or prize information or personal exposition (and/or any edited portion thereof) for promotional, advertising and/or publicity purposes in any media, now or hereafter known throughout the world in perpetuity, without compensation or notice to, or further consent of, the Entrant to the extent permitted by law.

CONTACT (back to Index)

Please direct any correspondence to info@nowdebatethis.com