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Philip Hayes, of Lindale High School, has been chosen as one of the final 16 contestants in Now Debate This, the first nationwide youth focused educational/political reality show scholarship contest, Washington and Lincoln ’08 — The Great Debate.

This competition, created through a unique online social network for high school juniors, selected the Top 16 picks this week, of the students who best tackled the question, “Who was the better president? George Washington or Abraham Lincoln?”

Contestants will be invited to get on the bus and travel across the country this summer with the Now Debate This team.

With video entry uploads to YouTube, the debate attracted strong participant interest. The names of the 16 contestants were announced June 19 at the National History Day finals in Washington DC, where 8,000 people were watching in person, with millions more at home viewing online through The History Channel.

Philips’s winning video, answering the question “What Can The Declaration of Independence Teach Us About Life in 2008?” can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?vLgL-ZNEMNvQ

Each contestant will receive a $3,500 stipend, plus a new laptop and video camera to document the summer experiences. The task of each contestant will be to engage people across the world in a great online debate about Washington and Lincoln. The job includes creating videos, blogs and community outreach, all based on George and Abe.

From June 20 to July 25, contestants will discover George and Abe in their own home communities, developing theories about the Presidents’ and their lives, engaging people all over the world with their ideas. Viewers can keep track of their research online, getting to know each debater.

The 16 contestants will begin their once-in-a-lifetime experience as they embark on a summer-long exploration into the lives of Washington and Lincoln.

With travels across the U.S., students will explore the principles of America’s founders from the 1700’s, engage in the quest for freedom and examine how it challenged the Constitution from the Civil War to today. The lives of these two men as presidents and commanders-in-chief will be explored, including how elements such as principles, political platforms, personal views and faith affected their lives. Beginning July 26, 2008, the two-week trip will take the 16 contestants to Washington DC, Virginia, New Jersey, Springfield, Ill., and Philadelphia to experience the lives of these presidents firsthand and to document their journey (details to follow).

Finally, on Aug. 9, the contest comes full circle as the students debate Washington and Lincoln in round-robin fashion, until only two finalists remain. All contestants can win up to $25,000 in scholarship and no less than $2,000.

The two winners will then return to Philadelphia on Sept. 17, on National Constitution Day, for the final debate at the National Constitution Center, where the winner will walk away with a $150,000 scholarship. The runner up will receive a $50,000 scholarship.

In addition to the Washington & Lincoln ’08 Debate, Now Debate This has also opened a special social networking Blog site where students can chime in and discuss relevant topics facing high school students today with their peers. Students answered questions such as “What Does Patriotism Mean to You?” “What can the Declaration of Independence Teach Us in 2008?” and submitted creative and unique videos representing a variety of topics and issues. To learn more, visit http://confab.nowdebatethis.com/.

Now Debate This was developed to reach and teach kids about history, culture, the American leaders and ways of the forefathers and how they relate to our world, elections and influences today.

With 16 contestants from around the country exploring, researching and exposing truths, historical methods, personalities and the foundations of culture through deep study of who President Abraham Lincoln and President George Washington were as men, leaders and influencers, these contestants will not only learn about them and their lives, but will teach others and relay their vision and impact on our lives today through their insight and discovery.

The Now Debate This campaign is produced and marketed by Emmy award winning TV director Steven Feldman, who has worked with talent as varied as Bill Nye, Linda Ellerbee, Bill Maher and for PBS, CBS, Disney, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MSNBC and Discovery.

Having worked with Sesame Street, the ‘Nick News, Politically Incorrect and Nickelodeon’s current hit, LazyTown, Feldman’s Sam Hill Entertainment is leading the way for the groundbreaking creative efforts of Now Debate This.