Palm Harbor 9/11 Memorial Essay Contest Announced

PALM HARBOR, FL – The Palm Harbor 9/11 Memorial Committee announced its first-ever essay writing contest.

Organizers of the contest are looking to inspire local high school students to strengthen their appreciation of the historical importance of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

First place will be awarded $500 and second place will earn $250. Awards will be presented to essay contest winners at the 9/11 Memorial Event at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens on Sunday, Sept. 11. The first-place essay will be read during the event. Winners will be notified by Sept. 1, 2016.

Applicants must be in grades 11 or 12 during the 2016-17 school year and attend Palm Harbor University, Countryside, Dunedin, East Lake or Tarpon Springs high schools. Students must submit an original essay on the topic: “Why We Should Never Forget 9/11.”

Essays will be judged on the following essay criteria:

• Focus: A clear, controlling idea that is strongly supported throughout the essay
• Development: The response is thorough and meets the length requirement of 500-700 words
• Organization: The paragraphs and sentences are effectively structured
• Originality: The essay provides a thoughtful, original reflection on the events of Sept. 11, 2011
• Conventions: Proper conventions of standard English grammar are followed

Essays must include a cover sheet which includes the student’s first and last name, age, grade level, school name, e-mail address and telephone number. The font should be 12-point, Times New Roman and the essay should be double-spaced. Sources should be credited using MLA format if necessary.

The deadline to submit an essay is Thursday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. Essays may be submitted to sept11essay@palmharborfd.com or in person at Palm Harbor Fire Rescue, 250 West Lake Road in Palm Harbor.

The Palm Harbor 9/11 Memorial Event Committee is comprised of local volunteers who are dedicating to ensuring people never forget the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Each year, the committee holds a memorial event on Sept. 11 at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens 9/11 Memorial.

The memorial features a 150-pound piece of rusted steel beam, once part of the World Trade Center Towers, as its focal point.

For more information, contact Liz MonForti at (727) 683-1647 or emonforti@palmharborfd.com.

Image via Shutterstock

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