Inspirational quotations are being used to spark creative writing during the annual essay contest held by the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
Deputy Director Lynne Roller said the memorial's essay contest, begun in 2001, has become a cornerstone of the memorial's educational programs.
Last year, the contest was expanded from a state competition to a national one, Roller said.
More than 300 essays were submitted in 2005, with winning essays coming from students in Colorado, Michigan and Oklahoma, Roller said.
The contest is divided into four grade levels and cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place entries in each level.
Roller said essays will be judged on originality, adherence to topic and proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Winners and their teachers will be recognized at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Winners' essays will become part of an interactive exhibit for one year.
Quotes and accompanying topics were developed by the memorial's Education and Outreach Committee.
Topics for this year include:
Fifth- and sixth-grades (350 words): "Each of us has a spark of life inside us, and we must set off that spark in one another." -- Kenny Ausubel
Seventh- and eighth-grades (350 words): "Your spark can become a flame and change everything." -- E.D. Nixon
Ninth- and 10th-grades (500 words): "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." -- Dale Carnegie
Eleventh- and 12-grades (500 words): "It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe it. And it isn't enough to believe in it, one must work for it." -- Eleanor Roosevelt
Entries must be received by 5 p.m. March 1.
All entries must be typed or word-processed, and double spaced. Each entry must be accompanied by a signed information form, available online.
Teachers may submit up to five entries per grade, per school.
Entries may be submitted by mail to Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, PO Box 323, Oklahoma City, OK 73101, or e-mailed to lr@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.
The essay contest is sponsored by Oklahoma City McDonald's owner/operator Brigitte Savage.
For more information, go to www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org or call (888) 542-4673.
