CSPERA: Ninth Annual Grandparent Essay Contest

NEWS RELEASE # 8
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2013 

 

CSPERA: Ninth Annual Grandparent Essay Contest

The Colorado School and Public Employees Retirement Association (CSPERA) and AARP invite fifth-grade students to brag on grandparents and win money for themselves and their school.

CSPERA and AARP are joining forces to promote this year’s Grandparents’ Essay Contest, in which fifth-graders statewide will compete for Visa gift cards, and AARP will present a $500 stipend to each school the first-place winners attend.

In its ninth year, the contest collects hundreds of 150-word essays with the title “Why my Grandparent(s) is/are the best in the world!” The essays will be judged by CSPERA members and the results will be announced by September 25. The deadline to submit essays to CSPERA is September 9.

There will be a first- and second-place winner in each of the four CSPERA State Divisions: the Metro Division, Northeast Division, Southern Division and the Western Division. Each first-place winner will receive a $75 Visa gift card and each second-place winner will receive a $50 Visa gift card.

In addition, AARP will award $500 to the school or organization the winners attend. Every entrant will be sent a participation certificate. Each winner and their classroom or organization will receive a children’s book to add to their library.

The four division winners will be invited and honored at the AARP Volunteers Award Brunch on October 11.

This is an opportunity for students to have a meaningful opportunity to practice their writing skills. The teacher role is to introduce the contest, but all writing should take place outside the school day.

ESSAY REQUIREMENTS

• 150 – 200 words in length not including the title.
• Legibly written or electronically generated and printed in English. Use only one side of the paper. Additional sheets of paper may be used if necessary.
• Contains the components of a formal essay: i.e. introduction, supporting points and conclusion.
• Student name and school name written at the end of the essay.
• Entry form included with essay.
• Original work of the author.
• Mail or e-mail to CSPERA no later than September 9.

Contact CSPERA at 303-326-1808 for more information.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist 
Paula Hans at 303.326.2755