Elks Essay Contests
The Elks believe in our nations youth, that they are our hope for a brighter tomorrow. Through our various contests we give youth the opportunity to use their creativity and originality to interpret the themes and messages of the Elks for a new generation. Whether through written word, drawing, or even video students all over Oregon take part in our various creative contests each year. For our Americanism Program and Drug Awareness Program students are given the chance to craft an essay responding to a theme chosen each year by the respective Grand Lodge Committees over these programs. Students will first enter the contests by submitting their entries to their local lodge. Winners at the lodge level will then advance to the district committee chair to compete against winning entires submitted by other lodges in the respective district. Winning entries at the district level then advance to state and ultimately to Grand Lodge where national winners will be selected.
Americanism Essay
The theme for 2023-2024 is “What the Bill of Rights Means to Me”
Rules
At the time of the contest, eligible participants must be students enrolled in one of these four divisions: I—5th grade; II—6th grade; III—7th grade; or IV—8th grade.
Essay length is not to exceed 300 words.
Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, Essay must be submitted as written (or typed) by the entrant.
Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge nearest to the address of the entrant.
Participant must be identified by name, grade, school attending and sponsoring Elks Lodge on the Essay.
Awards
Plaques will be awarded by Grand Lodge for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for national winning essays in Divisions I, II, III, and IV. Monetary awards will be disbursed for each grade level for 1st Place—$1,000; 2nd Place—$500; and 3rd Place—$250. Winners will be announced at the Grand Lodge Session.
Application Packet
Click the large button to the below to download the application materials. All applications must include the coverpage to identify the student and local Elks Lodge it is submitted to. Essay should be submitted to your nearest local Elks Lodge on/before December 15, 2023.
The theme for the 2023-2024 contest is: "Be Kind to Your Mind - Live Drug Free"
Rules
The contest is open to all 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students. Participants must write their essay themselves, but they may get help from teachers, parents, or friends in the form of ideas.
Length: No longer than 250 words.
Paper size: 8 1/2 x 11 inch.
Text: Typed, computer generated text, hand written or hand printed.
Judging will be based on the following:
Closeness to the theme
Neatness
Originality
Correct grammatical structure
Each entry must have the following information on the back of the essay:
Student's full name
School, location, grade
Elks lodge name
Must also be accompanied by Hold Harmless agreement
Due date: Please contact your local Elks Lodge or Elks State Association for more details.
Winners: Your local Elks lodge will select the top essays, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning essays will be forwarded to District Competition. District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.
National recognition: Each State Drug Awareness Chairman will choose one overall winner. This winning essay will be submitted for entry into the National contest and may be featured on the www.elkskidszone.org website and/or in ENF or DAP publications.