More than 3,000 students across the United States, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and American high schools overseas participated in this year's contest, writing essays examining how third parties can help bring peace to violent civil conflicts abroad. All state-level winners will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

While in Washington the students will meet with senior U.S. government officials, members of Congress, foreign embassy officials, tour the Smithsonian museums and the monuments on the Mall, participate in a special simulation exercise on conflict-resolution, and attend an Awards Banquet where the first, second, and third place national winners will be announced.

This year's winners at the Albert Einstein Memorial
at the National Academy of Sciences.