You are invited to participate in the 2022 Knights of Columbus “Patriotic Essay Contest”. This contest is open to 7th and 8th grade students at selected Catholic Schools in Baton Rouge. This competition will provide you with an opportunity to think and learn about our country’s rich heritage and strengthen your patriotic spirit. This year’s theme is:

What does the idea of our Nation’s “Citizens Right to Vote” mean to me?

We are extremely excited about this theme because we feel there are many ways you can express your love and patriotism for this great country, the United States of America.
The following essay rules shall apply:
1. The essay should be 500-750 words in a PDF document.
2. The essay should be double-spaced with your assigned number and word count at the top.
3. Your name should not appear on the essay. Your teacher will assign a number to you.
4. Your PDF file name should only be your assigned number from your teacher, e.g. C103.pdf. If your file name is mislabeled, your essay may be disqualified.
5. All essays are due on or before Friday, October 28th.
Grading will be based on a 100-point system, broken down as follows:
Essay’s strict adherence to subject matter and how well the essay is written……………50 points
Style, including originality, creativity, and imagination………………………………………………20 points
Grammar, with attention to sentence and paragraph structure………………………………..10 points
Essay consistent with the student’s age / education………………………………………………….20 points
Three finalists will be selected from each school and entered into the final completion. The first-place winner will receive a $300 cash award, second-place $200, and third-place $100.
We hope you will enter the competition and we look forward to reviewing your essay.