PHOENIX – High school students in Maricopa County can test their writing mettle and win up to $500 cash by entering the essay contest for the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade. In addition, the teacher named on the three winning entries, who encouraged and supported the competition, will win a $150 cash card to use in his or her classroom.
This year’s theme is “Silent Sacrifice: Honoring Our Cold War Veterans.” Entries are evaluated on how well they capture the theme, originality, content, creativity, English and grammar.
Other submission criteria:
* Open to students in Maricopa County grades 9-12, to include home schooled students
* Essays must not exceed 500 words
* Essays must include the student’s name, age and grade; teacher or parent’s name (if home schooled), email and phone number; school name, address and phone number
“This long-standing tradition is a wonderful way for our youth to research, learn and express their gratitude toward our military veterans,” says Aaron Dudney, President of Honoring Arizona’s Veterans, the nonprofit which creates the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.
Thanks to a special sponsorship from Durant’s Restaurant, there will be cash prizes for first, second and third place winners. Additionally, the authors of the top three essays will ride in the parade, meet our veteran grand marshals, have their essays printed in the parade program, and attend the parade victory party.
“Being an essay winner was such an honor,” says Koriana Cannon, a contest winner from 2016. “Meeting the veterans and being part of the parade is an experience I will never forget. It made me even more thankful for all the people who have risked and lost their lives for America. You are my heroes.”
Entries can be submitted via the following web address through September 30, 2017 online at https://www.phoenixveteransdayparade.org/parade-essay-contest-2017/ .
