WESTPORT — Three Staples High School students have been selected as finalists in this year’s Teen Diversity Essay Contest sponsored by TEAM Westport, which asked entrants to explore the challenging topic of  when do efforts to curb hate speech violate constitutionally protected free speech.

Prizes in the contest, the 11th annual organized by the multi-cultural advocacy group, will be awarded at a ceremony set for 6 p.m. Monday, May 6, at the Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road. The library co-sponsors the contest.

The finalists are Staples students Sophia Lopez, Olivia Morgeson and Teya Ozgen. Winners of the first- ($1,000), second- ($750) and third-place ($500) prizes will be announced at the awards program.

The essay contest was open to all high school-age students who live in Westport or attend school here.

The theme chosen for this year’s contest is:

“The regulation of hate speech must balance limiting speech that may be considered offensive, threatening, or hurtful with the constitutional right of free expression. 

“In 1,000 words or less, with respect to speech that targets specific people or groups based on race, religion, ethnicity, and/or LGBTQIA+ identification, consider the guidelines one should set for themselves within Westport’s schools and in our community. 

“Explain how a diversity of opinions can be safely and respectfully shared. Are the rules different in a school community than on social media?”

Harold Bailey Jr., TEAM Westport’s chairman, said in a statement announcing the finalists, “In our current environment, hate speech seems to rend the fabric of our society further on a daily basis.

“We look forward to this input from our young citizens to help us inextricably mend that fabric well into the future,” he added.