2022-2023 
Grand Lodge AmerIcanism Essay Contest
Submission Deadline:  ​December 15,2023

“What is Your American Dream?”

New features in this year’s contest are:
  1. Four separate divisions for 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade students.
  2. Monetary Awards for national winning essays from each grade level as follows:
            $1,000 for 1st place; $500 for 2nd place; $250 for 3rd place.
Entry Rules
  1. Eligible participants must be Students enrolled in one of these four divisions: 
         I—5th grade; II—6th grade; III—7th grade; or IV—8th grade, during the normal 2022-23 school year,
         preceding June 30, 2023.
  2. Essay length is not to exceed 300 words.
  3. Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, Essay must be submitted as written (or typed) by the entrant.
  4. Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge administering the contest at his/her school or, if unknown, the Lodge nearest to the home address of the entrant.
  5. Entrant must be identified on the Essay by name, home address, grade, school attended and sponsoring Lodge. (Lodge may enter Lodge information on Essay Cover Sheet.)
  6. Deadline: must be submitted to Local Lodge by December 15, 2022.
  7. Judging Criteria: 
         Originality: avoids the use of trite or worn out words and phrases.
         Development of theme: stays focused on ideas and thoughts; don’t ramble.
         Mechanics and neatness: uses proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.​
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