Baird encouraging fourth-graders to partake in essay competition

District 44 State Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) is encouraging local fourth-graders to participate in an essay competition in conjunction with "Indiana Statehood Day," a celebration of Indiana's 195th birthday.

The Indiana Statehouse Tour Office is sponsoring the competition. Winners will be honored at the Statehood Day Celebration at noon Friday, Dec. 9 at the Indiana Statehouse.

All essays must be received or postmarked Oct. 28.

"With Indiana's fourth-grade classrooms teaching Indiana's history, the essay competition is a great way to have fourth-graders involved in celebrating Indiana and what it means to be a Hoosier," Rep. Baird said.

The competition rules are as follows:

* Contest is open to any Indiana fourth-grade student.

* Essays need to range from 100 to 400 words, handwritten or typed.

* Essays must include student's name, teacher's name, and the school's name, address and telephone number. The school name needs to be on every essay.

* Essays should convey: What living in the State of Indiana means to the student -- what are the things that make the student glad that he or she is a Hoosier?

A group of selected judges will read through all entries and then choose first-, second- and third-place winners.

The first-place winner will be invited to read his or her essay at the Dec. 9 ceremony.


Essays should be sent to: Jennifer Hodge, State Capitol Tour Office, 
Indiana Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Room 220, 
Indianapolis, IN 46204.

For more information on the contest, persons may call the State Capitol Tour Office at 317-233-9830.