ELVERSON PA – Students in eight local school districts are among those encouraged to submit essays by April 20 for the Independence Day Writing Challenge conducted by Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Elverson.
Entries are being accepted from public, private school, and home-schooled students in grades 6-12. They must live within the Pottstown, Pottsgrove, Owen J. Roberts, Boyertown Area, Oley Valley, Spring-Ford Area, Phoenixville Area, and Daniel Boone Area districts, and eight others.
Winners vie for cash prizes, and also will read their essays aloud during the July 4 Independence Day public program planned at the historic park, 2 Mark Bird Ln. This year’s topic: “What is your pursuit of Happiness?”
One essay can be submitted per person. Essays from 6th to 8th graders must be 300 or fewer words; those from grades 9-12 must be 500 or fewer words. Submissions must:
- Be written solely by the candidate;
- Cannot contain any plagiarized material;
- Present a clear theme statement related to the topic; and
- Provide sufficient content supporting the theme statement.
Prizes Awarded in Each Grade Group
Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges based on the submission criteria. The top three from each grade group will be selected for cash awards of $125 for first, $100 for second, and $75 for third places.
Author submissions are asked to include the student’s name, grade, name of the student’s school, school district, or home school, name of a parent or guardian, their email address, and telephone number.
Submissions can be sent by e-mail to friendsofhopewellfurn@gmail.com. They also can be mailed to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, c/o Writing Contest, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson PA 19520; or by hand-delivered to the park’s Visitor Center at the same address. The center is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All submissions must be received or post-marked by April 20.
Photo provided to Travels With The Post by the National Park Service
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