You don't have to be smarter than a fifth-grader to win $1,000 or even $500. You just have to have an opinion about education and write a letter addressed to President Barack Obama, suggesting what he should do about education in our country.

Dr. Ron Rotem, a dentist at the Center for Exceptional Cosmetic and Adult Dentistry, Toms River, is sponsoring the contest, which is open only to high school seniors in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The winner will receive $1,000, the first runner-up will receive $500, and Rotem will award $100 to the next five runners-up.

Eligible public school or private school high school seniors should send all letters, postmarked by Jan. 30, 2009, to Dr. Ron Rotem, 355 Lakehurst Road, Toms River, NJ 08755. The letter should be addressed to President Obama and include the student's full name, full address, phone number and high school. The winners will be selected based on the clarity of ideas and originality.

All winners will be invited to Rotem's office to meet other winners and share their ideas. Rotem intends to send the winning letters to Obama. For more information, call Rotem's office at 732- 341-8500.