Application Form available on Virginia PTA Web Site: www.vapta.org

Virginia PTA is proud to sponsor a Citizenship Essay Project. The 2011 theme is “Entitlement vs Responsibility”. This Essay Project allows students to express their views and opinions on “Character or Citizenship”. Virginia PTA is committed to promoting a sense of citizenship and responsibility in the lives of our children—tomorrow’s leaders.

Who Can Enter?

All Virginia students in grades 6 – 12 presently enrolled in schools with PTA/PTSA units in Good Standing. A PTA in Good Standing is one who has paid state and National Dues by December 1, and bylaws are current, having been revised within the past five (5) years.

Criteria

Students in grades 9 – 12 must write a minimum of 750 words, typed and double-spaced using Times Roman, 12 Font, using 1” margins.

Students in grades 6 – 8 must write a minimum of 500 words, typed and double-spaced and using Times Roman, 12 Font, using 1” margins.

In both age categories, adherence to the theme, originality, clarity, thought, and skill in standard written English will be judged

The theme, “Entitlement vs Responsibility” must be used as the essay title and cannot be changed or altered in any way.

Awards

Awards will be given in both age groups (Middle School grades 6-8 and High School grades 9-12).

1st Place -- $1,000 Savings Bond

2nd Place -- $500 Savings Bond

3rd Place -- $250 Savings Bond

All entries must be forwarded to your District Director for district judging (districts without a District Director, entries must be forwarded to the Virginia PTA State Office for processing.) District Directors will submit winning entries to the Virginia PTA State Office for state level judging.

Deadline for submitting to your District Director: February 1, 2011 (Postmarked)

Official Entry Forms should be mailed to: District Director

Application

Applications for the Citizenship Essay Project are located at the following locations.

Virginia PTA web site at www.vapta.org

Virginia PTA Local Unit Resource Guide

Contact Virginia PTA at info@vapta.org

Procedures

Local unit PTA/PTSA presidents and school staff promote the Citizenship Essay Project within their

individual schools.

Schools must send essay and completed application form to their District Director

(See mailing address below)

FAXES are not permitted

Questions:

Virginia PTA Office at info@vapta.org

Essay winners will be notified in April or May 2011 and featured in one or more of Virginia PTA’s official

Publications (Virginia PTA Bulletin, Virginia PTA web site www.vapta.org and Virginia PTA VOICE).