Austin Elks News
Americanism Essay Contest Theme Announced: “Why I Am Proud to be An American”
Members of the Elks Grand Lodge Americanism Committee have selected the theme, “Why I am Proud to be an American,” for the 2010-2011 Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest. This very important patriotic contest gives school children in grades 5-8 the opportunity to express views on their pride in America.
On the national level, first-place winners in each division will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond. Second-place winners receive a $500 bond, and third-place winners receive a $250 bond. The Lodge that sponsors a national winner will be presented with a beautiful engraved plaque at the Grand Lodge Convention. Many Lodges, District and State Associations also offer different types of awards to their winners.
- Eligible participants must be a student enrolled in the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade during the normal 2011-12 school year, preceding June 30, 2012. Deadline: Must be submitted to local lodge by January 15, 2012.
- Essay length is not to exceed 250 words.
- Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, essay must be submitted as written (or typed) by the entrant.
- Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge administering the contest at his or her school or, if unknown, to Lodge nearest to home address of entrant.
- Entrant must be identified on essay by name, home address, grade, school attended and sponsoring Lodge. (Lodge may enter Lodge information on essay.)
Judging criteria includes originality, development of theme, and mechanics and neatness including grammar and punctuation. There are two divisions for judging essays — Division 1 (combined fifth and sixth grades) and Division 2 (combined seventh and eighth grades).
If you would like yourIf you would like this contest to be held in your child’s school, please present the teacher with the contest details and the registration packet. Designate that your school’s submissions should be delivered to Austin Lodge #201 by the deadline.
