Essay Contest – Roy B. Bacho
2008 – 2009
Each year, the California State Council sponsors an essay contest for Catholic youths in grades four through twelve. The purpose of the contest is to promote awareness of the purposes for which we exist.
Involvement is relatively simple, and it will develop a relationship between your council and the local youth community. Not only they, but their parents (especially potential members) will become aware of the ideals upon which our order was founded.
ELIGIBILITY
1. All participants must be enrolled in a Catholic School or Religious Education program.
2. Entrants must be in grades 4 through 12.
3. Submission must be made in the proper age group.
Group A --- 4th to 6th grade.
Group B ---7th & 8th grade
Group C --- 9th to 12th grade
TOPICS
Group A: What does being a Catholic mean to me?
Group B: How can I display charity in my daily life?
Group C: As a Catholic youth, how can I promote advocacy for the culture of life?
OR
Group A: What role does God play in my life?
Group B: How does Jesus influence my life?
Group C: If you have a conversation with Jesus, what would you talk about?
AWARDS
The State Council will award funds to be used to purchase savings bonds for the top four essays in each group
First Place $ 200.00 Savings Bond
Second Place $ 150.00 Savings Bond
Third Place $ 100.00 Savings Bond
Fourth Place $ 50.00 Savings Bond
ESSAY RULES
1. Essays will be 250 – 500 words in length.
2. Essays should preferably be typed, double spaced
(hand written essays will be accepted if legible).
3. All submissions MUST accompanied by a CALIFORNIA STATE ESSAY FORM and contain their parent’s or guardian’s signature.
4. The top three essays from each school or group shall be submitted to the Council chairman.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Content –Clear and logical presentation of theme 1 – 40 points
Grammar –Organization, sentence construction
and proper punctuation and spelling 1 – 30 points
Style -Evidence of creativity and imagination
in the development of the topic and
use of proper vocabulary 1 - 30 points
COUNCIL INCENTIVES
At the time your council submit its Council Youth Activities Report, points will be assigned toward the Award Program as follows:
1. Councils participating in the essay contest will receive10 points toward the State Youth Activities Award.
2. If the council provides awards to winners at their level, an additional 15 points will be awarded.
3. Up to and additional 25 points MAY be awarded based on the Essay Contest results as described in the Youth Activities Report.
ORGANIZING THE CONTEST
A sample timetable is described below. The steps described have been used over the years to promote a successful contest.
July 2008 – The Grand Knight shall appoint and Essay Contest Chairman. Funds should be budgeted to provide awards. The Essay Contest Chairman and Grand Knight should select a committee to judge any essays submitted.
August 2008 – The Essay Contest Chairman should identify all Catholic Schools and Religious Education programs within the Council area.
September 2008 – Each school and Parish should be contacted to obtain the name and address of the school or a Parish and a point of contact.
October 2008 – A letter from the Essay Contest Chairman should be sent to each of the school and Parishes describing the contest and soliciting participation. A sample form is included in this instruction.
November 2008 – Contact each school and Parish to verify receipt of the information.
January 2009 – Confirm that essays have been submitted and are being forwarded to the council chairman.
February 2009 – Council Chairman and committee shall judge entries and select winners. Winning essays should be forwarded to the Chapter Essay Chairman.
March 2008 – essay contest Chairman should send an announcement to all participation schools and Parishes posting the results and thanking them for their participation in the program.
CRITICAL DATES
January 31, 2009…… All submissions to the local Council.
February 28, 2009….Council winners submitted to the Chapter.
March 28, 2009………Chapter winners submitted to the State
Essay Contest Chairman
May 2009………………State winners announced at the California
State Convention.
Roy B. Bacho
Essay Contest Chairman
1180 Avenida Azul
San Marcos, CA 90715
(760) 599-4448
rbacho@cox.net
Simple letter to Schools and Parishes
October 1, 2008
{Name}
{School}
{Street}
{City. State, Zip}
Dear {Contact}
{Council Name} of the Knight of Columbus in a joint effort with the California State council is once again sponsoring an essay contest for students attending Catholic Schools or Religious education classes. We encourage your school {Parish} to participate.
The rules are as follows:
1. Contestants must be Catholic School or CCD students.
2. Contestants are grouped as follows:
Group A --- 4th to 6th grade.
Topic: What does being a Catholic mean to me?
Group B ---7th & 8th grade
Topic: How can I display charity in my daily life?
Group C --- 9th to 12th grade
Topic: As a Catholic youth, how can I promote
advocacy for the culture of life?
3. Essays will be typewritten double spaced or in legible ink.
4. Each essay should have a copy of the entry form completed and attached. A copy of the form is enclosed.
5. The top three essays for each age group should be sent to: {Essay Contest Chairman} of Council {Name & Number} at the above address. All entries must be postmarked by January 2009.
6. Judging will be based on content, grammar and style.
7. The first place winner in each group will be awarded {prize}. The top ranked essays will be automatically entered into the Chapter Essay contest for further consideration and awards.
We encourage your student to participate.
Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me {Chairman’s address and phone}
{Signature}
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
CALIFORNIA STATE ESSAY CONTEST
ENTRY FORM
I participate in the California State Essay Contest in the division checked below. I understand that my entry will become property of the Knights of Columbus.
Local Council Number__________________
Group A Group B Group C
4-6 Grade_____ 7-8 Grade______ 9-12 grade______
Entrant’sName__________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________
City__________________________ State__________ Zip_____________
Telephone_________________________________
School/CCD Program______________________________ Grade___________
All awards will be in the form of funds to purchase U. S. Savings Bonds.
The undersigned approves the entrant’s participation in the Knights of Columbus State Essay Contest. In consideration of such participation, the undersigned hereby agrees to hold the Knights of Columbus California State Council and any of its agents and their officers, members, and employees blameless and without liability and hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless all of he above mentioned from any and all claims and expenses resulting from or relating to entrant’s participation.
______________________ _________________ ______________
Signature Relationship Date
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Scoring: 100 points possible {To be completed by Essay Judges}
CONTENTS:Clear presentation of theme. Local and compelling message 40 points
GRAMMAR: Organization; Construction and punctuation; Spelling 30 points
STYLE: Creativity and imagination while developing topic; Vocabulary 30 points