Veterans Day 2012 9th Annual National Poster & Essay Contests

Veterans Day 2012
9th Annual National Poster & Essay Contests
Sponsored by Paralyzed Veterans of America
Contest Guidelines
I. Contest Label Form and Publicity Release Form
All entries must be accompanied by both a fully completed “Contest Label Form,” which must be taped or
clipped to the back of each poster and essay entry (please do not staple), as well as a completed “Publicity
Release Form.”
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Contest Theme
The theme for the Poster and Essay Contest is Show/Tell a Personal Story about a Veteran Who Has Made a
Difference in Your Life or Hometown. Each Essay Contest student, using his or her own words and creativity,
will tell a personal story about how a veteran has made a difference in his/her life, neighborhood, or town.
These stories need not be limited to military service and can also include veterans who have gone on to serve
their communities as teachers, coaches, first responders, mentors, etc. Poster contest entrants will show a scene
of the same theme. Entrants should not depict a historical review of Veterans Day but focus more on the
veteran and their personal story.
Contest Deadline
All poster and essay entries must be received by September 28, 2012. The Grand Prize winners will be
notified by October 22, 2011. Entries not meeting deadlines will be disqualified.
Contest Grade Categories
This year’s contests will be evaluated in the following grade-related categories.
1 st –2 nd Grade - Poster
3 rd –4 th Grade - Poster
5 th –6 th Grade - Essay
7 th –8 th Grade - Essay
V. Poster and Essay Specifications
A. Poster (1 st – 4 th Grades)
Poster entries cannot exceed 11" by 17" in size and must be submitted on paper/stock without any
staples.
B. Essay (5 th –8 th Grades)
Essay entries can be typed or handwritten neatly on white 8½" X 11" lined paper, must be in English,
and may not exceed 200 words.
All posters and essays must be the work of only one (1) child, consisting of the child’s own words, thoughts,
and creativity.
Note: Upon submission, all posters and essays will become the property of Paralyzed Veterans of America,
which reserves the right to reproduce submissions, and will not be returned.
V. Eligibility
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The contest is open to students in Grades 1–8 who are enrolled in public and private schools and homeschooled
students living in the United States.
VI.
Judging
National finalists will be judged by a panel of individuals representing Paralyzed Veterans of America,
paralyzed veterans, stakeholders who have a strong interest in our nation’s veterans, and educators and leaders
in Washington, DC. Each poster and essay will be judged on the following criteria: expression of the theme
(50%); content of artwork style and/or writing (25%), creativity of artwork and/or writing (25%). The decision
of the adjudication panel is final.
VII.
Awards
A. All Entrants
All entrants will be recognized for their participation by Paralyzed Veterans of America. Please
provide your contact information including an email address.
B. Finalists
A group of 10 student finalists from each of the four grade categories will be awarded a certificate of
merit and a special commemorative T-shirt.
C. Grade Category Winners
The winning student from each grade category will be presented with a special plaque and a $100
educational gift certificate. The student’s school will also receive a plaque recognizing the student’s
honor.
D. Grand Prize
One student from the poster contest and one student from the essay contest will be presented with an
award plaque and all-expense paid trip for the student along with a parent or guardian to Washington,
DC, for Veterans Day 2012. The two students will be the special guests of Paralyzed Veterans of
America at the national ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and will be recognized by
Paralyzed Veterans of America during its Veterans Day events.
VIII.
Poster and Essay Visibility
Selected posters and essays will be prominently displayed and will receive national visibility. They may
include:
Paralyzed Veterans of America National Office
Paralyzed Veterans of America Chapter Offices
The Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC
Paralyzed Veterans of America website: www.pva.org
PN magazine
Paralyzed Veterans of America will also distribute news releases to both the national and local media
announcing the results of the contest in November.
Note: Paralyzed Veterans of America assumes no responsibility for poster and essay submissions. Winning entrants agree that
Paralyzed Veterans of America has the right to use, without further permission and/or compensation, their drawings and/or essays
for promotion of Veterans Day, or any other related use. The submissions will not be returned. Previous winners are not eligible
for prizes.
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