The Butler County Community Resource Council is teaming up with the Daily American Republic and the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library to offer seventh-graders in Butler County’s three public schools — Neelyville R-IV, Poplar Bluff R-1 and Twin Rivers R-X — a chance to participate in an essay contest. The contest is being hosted by the Children and Youth Succeeding in School Committee of the CRC.
The topic for the essay contest is “How has the Civil Rights Movement changed education opportunities for all children?” It was chosen by teachers in the three schools.
“The topic is great — it will probably answer a few questions for seventh-graders,” said Kathern Harris, chair of the Children and Youth Succeeding in School Committee. “Many issues and disagreements that are taking place in our country today have no meaning to them. Unless someone has taken the time to really explain the past 55 years to them, most of our seventh-graders find it hard to imagine what a different world we live in today than the world we lived in 55 years ago.”
DAR publisher Chris Pruett said the newspaper is excited to co-sponsor the contest.
“This year’s essay will help educate students about a very important topic,” Pruett said. “They will learn how the sacrifices of many people, decades ago, have made life better for today’s students.”
Each seventh-grader will submit a five-paragraph essay (excluding name, title and list of sources) on the topic and adhere to the essay guidelines, which have been presented to each participating school district.
The essay must include the student’s name, a title, page numbers and a list of source materials, if applicable and be double-spaced, typed in a 12-point Times New Roman font (or equivalent), and with a one-inch margin on all sides. The essay also must include a completed and signed entry form.
Judging criteria for the essay includes if the topic is covered with clarity, how well-written the essay is, including good transitions and flow and if it has topic sentences with supporting facts and evidence.
The essay also must have an introductory paragraph (including a hook and a thesis statement) and a closing paragraph, the correct structure, few, if any errors and be five paragraphs in length. The essay must be given to the student’s English teacher on or before March 26.
First prize in the contest is a $100 gift card, second prize is a $50 gift card, while two additional essays will receive honorable mention. Winning essays will be published in the DAR, which is also assisting in sponsoring prizes for the winners
The Poplar Bluff Municipal Library staff will also help students seeking research assistance at both the main branch of the library or at the Ridgel branch.
“Hopefully, these seventh-graders will understand why trust is such a difficult tool to work with for some parents and for many more grandparents and great-grandparents,” Harris said. “It is always beneficial for students to be familiar with history and background information. Maybe this essay can start some household conversations. Maybe this essay will highlight respect and decency that is due to every person.
“Maybe this essay will let one imagine walking in another person’s shoes — just for a day. Maybe this essay will allow all of us to believe that everyone has worth. Maybe this essay will allow us to put hate for other people aside. Just maybe, this essay will encourage love, love, love and respect.”
Pruett echoes Harris’s sentiments.
“Writing assignments don’t always speak to all students, but this type of contest, with this topic, will not only education these students but also teach them skills they will use for the rest of their lives,” Pruett said.