SAN ANGELO, Texas — Students in fifth-eighth grades can participate in the Elks Americanism essay contest. The theme for 2020's contest is "How can Patriotism be Demonstrated?"
According to an Elks press release, there will be two divisions - Division I for fifth and sixth grade participants and Division II for seventh and eighth grade participants.
Essays must be no more than 300 words, typed or written legibly in ink, and must be submitted no later than Tuesday, Dec. 15, to the San Angelo Elks Lodge #1880, 2121 S. Chadbourne St., San Angelo, Texas 76903; or emailed to lodge11880@suddenlink.com.
Essays will be judged in both divisions using the following judging criteria: originality, development of the theme and mechanics and neatness.
Essays must be accompanied by an informational sheet about the student who submitted it. Information sheets must include the student's name, age, grade, school, teacher's name, parent's name, gender, phone number and email address, as well as the student's and school's addresses.
First, second and third place winners in each division will be submitted to the district for review in January then forwarded to the state for review in February.
State winners will be sent to the Elks Grand Lodge in March. National first, second and third place winners will be selected and announced at the national conference in Tampa Bay, Fla., in July 2021.
Winners will receive a plaque from the Elks Grand Lodge.
For additional information about the essay contest, call 325-227-6920.
