The contest asks students to share their thoughts on American citizenship by answering the question: ‘‘What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?”

Essay entries are due Dec. 1.

Teachers must submit essays online at www.BeingAnAmerican.org for a chance to win cash prizes from a pool of nearly $200,000, and one of 54 trips to the nation’s capital (awarded both to teachers and their students).

The names of the top three prize winners in the nine contest regions will be announced at an Awards Gala in spring 2010 in Washington, D.C.

The first-place winners in each region and their sponsoring teachers will each receive $5,000 cash awards, second place will receive $2,500, and third place $1,250. Honorable mention prizes of $250 will go to seven students and teachers from each region.

The winners also will be treated to a tour of prominent national landmarks and will hear from a range of important voices on American citizenship.

Last year’s winners met with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who keynoted the awards gala; NPR’s Juan Williams; Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green; Fox News commentator Judge Andrew Napolitano; and several members of Congress from winning students’ districts.

‘‘The Being An American essay contest allows teachers to open a dialogue with their students about what it means to be a modern-day American citizen in light of the principles upheld by our Founders, Documents and heroes,” said Bill of Rights Institute President Victoria Hughes. ‘‘Supporting contest materials, including lesson plans meeting national academic standards, are provided at no cost to teachers who want to incorporate the essay topic into the classroom.”

The contest, which is one of the largest high-school essay competitions in the country, is hosted by the Bill of Rights Institute, an organization based in Arlington, which provides free materials and a host of educational opportunities focused on civics and history for teachers and students across the country.

The contest’s national sponsor is David H. Koch. Additional sponsors include Amway Global and the Jack Miller Family Foundation.

High school students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to participate. Nearly 50,000 students have participated in the contest to date.

Visit the Being An American Web site — www.BeingAnAmerican.org — for complete rules and materials, including submission details, lesson plans and background information on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Founders, and other Americans who have contributed to America’s shared civic values.