Download the 2007 Essay Contest Guidelines and Entry Form
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is sponsoring the second annual I’m a Child of Appalachia® essay contest open to all 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students residing in the 29 counties of Appalachian Ohio.
The contest, which is part of the Foundation’s broader I’m a Child of Appalachia® campaign, asks students to think about what it means to grow up in Appalachian Ohio and is intended to help middle school students appreciate the people, beauty and benefits of living in Appalachia. In 2006, the inaugural year for the essay contest, 735 entries from students representing 20 Appalachian counties were received. Muskingum College printed a booklet containing the top 40 essays as chosen by the competition’s judges.
“Last year there was a tremendous response, so we are pleased to offer this opportunity to middle-level students in our region once again,” said Ann Day, FAO program director. “As a foundation, we are building positive awareness among young students and are encouraging them to apply their writing skills to a topic of local interest and importance.”
This year’s essay contest asks students to focus on how others help and encourage them, as well as what it means to help and encourage each other to achieve a successful future. At least one winner will be selected from each grade level. The winners receive a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and a $500 grant will be awarded to the student’s classroom for curriculum enrichment.
A completed entry form must accompany each essay and be postmarked by Friday, September 21, 2007. The entry form and guidelines can be found in the Essay Contest section of the Foundation’s Web site,www.fao.local/ican. For more information, contact FAO at (740) 453-9969.
The essay contest winners will be notified during the week of October 15, 2007, and will be recognized at the Foundation’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® fundraising event on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at the Zanesville Country Club in Zanesville, Ohio.