2024-2025
Americanism Essay Contest

Essay Theme: “What does patriotism mean to me?”

1. Eligible participants must be a student enrolled in the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade during the normal 2023-24 school year, preceding June 30, 2024.
Deadline: Must be submitted to local Lodge by December 15, 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 nearest to home address of entrant.
5. Entrant must be identified on essay by name, home address, grade, school attended and sponsoring Lodge. (Lodge may enter Lodge information on essay.)
6. Judging criteria: Originality: Avoid the use of trite or worn out words and phrases — 30 points
Development of theme: Stay focused on ideas and thoughts. Don’t ramble — 40 points
Mechanics and neatness: Use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation — 30 points

There are four divisions for judging essays:
Top three from Division I (5th Grade);
Top three from Division II (6th Grade);
Top three from Division III (7th Grade);
and Top three from Division IV (8th Grade);

(Cover Sheet must accompany each Essay, see link on right)