The American Legion Post 175, Inc.

The American Legion Post 175

Middle School Essay Contest

2021-2022 Winner: 8th Grade student from The Steward School

“I LIKE LIVING IN AMERICA BECAUSE...”

Open to all accredited Middle School Students at participating schools, Public, Private, or Parochial within the sponsoring jurisdiction of established American Legion Posts in the Department of Virginia. Home schooled children are eligible to compete provided the Division Superintendent, his/her assistant or other designated person of the public school system certify on the attached Declaration Form, the students grade level and their adherence to contest rules. It shall be the responsibility of the home schooler’s parents to contact the sponsoring American Legion Post and have the certifications completed.

Hanover County, Virginia Middle Schools have been 'paired' with an American Legion Post as follows:

Bell Creek and Oak Knoll Middle Schools: Send submission to - The American Legion Post 175, Mechanicsville, VA

Private schools, Parochial schools and home-schooled students east of Interstate 95 (I-95), send submissions to Post 175.

Chickahominy and Liberty Middle Schools: Send submission to - The American Legion Post 90, Beaverdam, VA

Private schools, Parochial schools and home-schooled students west of Interstate 95 (I-95), send submissions to Post 90.

Please do not forget to include your Declaration Form with your submission.

• Rules:
  • For 2021-2022, each essay started with the phrase: “I like living in America because…”
  • Each essay is to be hand written on the front side of one 8 1/2” X 11” page of lined notebook paper. Typed or computer generated essays WILL BE considered for students with disabilities meeting the following requirements:
    • The digital essay must be under 160 words.
    • The teacher of the student must certify that the essay received was the work of the student author.
    • The essay is to be written by the competing Middle School Student at their desk in school (during structured class time if home schooled), not at home.

• Judging:
• Middle School – The competing schools Language Arts/English/Civics department will judge each entry on originality, sincerity and the student’s ability to convey thought. The Language Arts/English/Civics department may add such additional criteria as composition, spelling, and proper punctuation. ONLY ONE essay should be forwarded to Post 175.

• Post Level –The winning essay from each Middle School will be mailed to the sponsoring American Legion Post contest Chairman (Post 175, Attn: Americanism Chair, 8700 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116 in the Declaration Form). Our Post’s Executive Committee shall select the best essay among the submissions received. ONLY ONE essay will be forwarded to the District.
   
• District Level –  Each District will convene a panel of at least three judges, chaired by their District’s Americanism or Essay Contest Chairman to select the best essay. ONLY ONE essay should be submitted per District.

• Department Level – The Department (State) Americanism Chairman will convene a panel of judges consisting of members of the Americanism Committee and/or other professionals, who will make the final selections.
   
• Time Line:
  • Middle School/Home School – Each participating Middle School/Home School should mail their winning essay and declaration form to the Post 175 Chairman no later than the last day of the Middle School’s classes prior to Christmas vacation.
  • Posts – Each participating Post will judge and mail their winning essay to the District Americanism Chairman or Middle School Essay Contest Chairman to arrive prior to their District’s Spring Conference.
  • Districts – Each participating District will mail their winning essay with attached Declaration Form to: Americanism Committee Chairman, John Schenk, 406 E. Randall Ave. Norfolk, VA 23503, to arrive no later than February 21, 2022. Winners will be announced at the Department Spring Conference.

• Awards:
  • Post Level:
    • The Middle School Language Arts/English/Civics Department which sends the winning essay to Post 175 receives an American Legion “Certificate of Participation” signed by the Post Commander and the Post Essay Chairman and a $50.00 check for the school’s use.
    • The winning essay student at the Post Level is presented with an American Legion “Certificate of Appreciation” signed  by the Post Commander and the Post Essay Chairman and a $25.00 check.
    • The winning essay student’s teacher receives a check from Post 175 in the amount of $25.00 to be used to assist in his/her purchase of classroom materials.
  • District Level:
    • The winning essay student from our District receives an American Legion “Certificate of Appreciation” signed by our District Commander and District Americanism Chairman or Middle School Essay Contest Chairman.
    • The winning essay student receives a $50.00 check.
    • The winning essay student’s Language Arts/English/Civics teacher receives a $50.00 check to go toward assisting in purchasing supplies and materials for their school’s department.
  • Department Level:
    • The First Place Winner will receive a $250.00 check.
    • The Second Place Winner will receive a $100.00 check.
    • The Third Place Winner will receive a $50.00 check
    • $50.00 check to winning essay student’s teacher.

The Post 175 POC is our Chair, Americanism and Children and Youth (C&Y) Committee. 

Links of Interest:

Department of Virginia Essay Contest Home Page

Middle School Essay Contest Information (Printable)

Declaration Form (Accompanies Submission)