You've seen Americans everywhere doing it—demonstrating their patriotic pride by waving American flags and sporting patriotic pins. Now's your chance to show off your patriotic spirit, thanks to a nationwide essay contest sponsored by Scholastic.

Launched this month, the I'm a Patriot Contest asks young people to select a phrase or sentence from the Declaration of Independence that inspires them. Students must then write an essay about how that particular idea relates to a current event.

Scholastic will honor the 57 winning students with a host of prizes. The grand-prize winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to see the Declaration during its Road Trip Across America. In addition, the top winner's essay will be published in an upcoming issue of Junior Scholastic magazine.

The 56 runners-up will win two 25-book American History Libraries—one for the winner, and one for his or her classroom. Finally, all 57 student winners will receive a special Declaration of Independence Road Trip T-shirt, pin, and copy of the document, along with a signed certificate from Norman Lear, the founder of the Road Trip project.

For contest rules and entry form, click here.