17th Annual Project on Racism Essay Contest

Official Contest Rules

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE November 9, 2009
The deadline has been extended to November 9

MAIL ALL ENTRIES TO:

YWCA-MLK ESSAY CONTEST
1100 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003

We join with the West Virginia State Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Commission in extending an invitation to all school aged children in WV to participate in the YWCA “Project on Racism Essay Contest”. Each year we provide students with a venue to share their vision and views of Dr. King’s lessons and teaching. Our theme for this year is: We Are The Dream. We use a quote from Dr. King along with a question for the students to answer. The quote for this year is: “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”

Essays will be written based on the following question:

What does the “quality of life” Dr. King spoke of mean to you – how do you fulfill the dream?

Any student in grades one through twelve (1-12) attending public, private, parochial or home school in the state of WV may enter.

• All essays must be handwritten, typed, or computer generated in black ink on white paper, double-spaced, one-side only.

• Maximum length: 500 words.
• Do NOT include photographs, images, illustrations, etc.
• Do NOT send binders, portfolios, or report covers.
• An official entry form must be attached to each original, unpublished essay.
• Parents/teachers may type students work

Winners will be selected according to the following criteria: originality- 20%; grammar – 20%, relevancy to theme – 30%; effective expression – 30%.

First, Second an Third Place winners will be chosen in four categories: grades 1-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Winners will receive savings bonds and first place winners will be given the opportunity to read their essays at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Luncheon in January 2010. All winning students and teachers will receive recognition certificates. No responsibility can be assumed for lost or late mail. Entries will not be acknowledged or returned. Please address all questions to Diana Bell, State Coordinator MLK Essay Contest, YWCA Wheeling, 304-232-0511. Entries can be faxed to 304-232-0513 or e-mailed to ywcadiana@aol.com.

Please copy forms as needed