$10,000 for "Atlas Shrugged" Essay Contest Winner
June 11, 2007

IRVINE, CA--In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged," the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI) is raising the first prize for the winner of its annual "Atlas Shrugged" essay contest from $5,000 to $10,000.

In addition to first prize, ARI offers 3 second prizes of $2,000 and 5 third prizes of $1,000. The deadline for this year's submissions is September 17, 2007, which gives students the opportunity to read the book and write their essays over their summer vacations.

Since 1999 more than 10,000 college students from around the world have entered ARI's "Atlas Shrugged" essay contests.

Open to undergraduate and graduate level college students, the "Atlas Shrugged" essay contest requires contestants to write on one of several topics dealing with the characters and themes in the novel. According to Marilee Dragsdahl, ARI's education manager, "The contest is designed to promote critical thinking and writing skills, and the essays are judged on both style and content."

First published in 1957, "Atlas Shrugged" is a mystery story about the murder--and rebirth--of man's spirit. It offers the spectacle of human greatness through the astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world--and did.

Information about this year's competition is available at http://aynrand.org/contests.

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To interview Mrs. Marilee Dragsdahl or for more information on ARI's educational programs, please contact: media@aynrand.org