ASYMCA Essay and Art Contest for kids

[Sophie*]

(My apologies if this has been posted before!)

What does your family look like? Now, what does your family look like through your children's eyes?

Have your child put it down on paper and he could win one of several savings bonds in the Armed Services YMCA 2009 Art and Essay Contest.

The competitions are open to all active duty and retiree families of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.

The ASYMCA began the contest during the Reagan administration. After a brief hiatus, the art contest returned in 1996, and the essay competition followed soon after.

Ever since, military brats from around the globe have been painting, coloring, drawing and writing about topics close to their hearts. The top entries earn a cool $500 first prize along the way.

The contests, sponsored by GEICO Direct and Lockheed Martin, help kick off November as Military Family Month at the ASYMCA.

It's not just judges and adoring family who view the winning artwork. The group uses it throughout the year, and as part of special plaques thanking corporate sponsors.

"Not only is it fun, but we use the drawings in a number of ways," said Susan Simms, ASYMCA manager for branch and corporate relations. "It really comes out looking nice, and we have the kids present these plaques to our corporate donors at a luncheon in May each year."

For the essay contest, children in grades first through eighth should write an essay of at least 100 words but no more than 300. Students in grades ninth through 12th should write between 300 to 500 words. This year's topic is "My Military Hero."

The essay may focus on a member of the child's family or a historical figure, but that person must have served in the U.S. military.

For the lower grades, first place wins a $500 savings bond and second place wins a $100 bond. Each of the grades through eighth has its own competition. Ninth and 10th graders compete against each other, as do 11th and 12th graders. First place entries in high school categories will win a $1,000 savings bond, and second place will earn a $500 bond.

Essays must be postmarked by March 20, 2009. Art entries must be postmarked by Feb. 20, 2009.

The art contest is open to children in kindergarten through sixth grade, and all service branches compete against each other for the first place $500 savings bond. A second place entry from each service will win a $100 savings bond.

The subject is "my military family." Entries must be in color and on a 6-inch by 8-inch template. First place wins a $500 savings bond. The drawings will also be used next November on the organization's Military Family Month posters.

Simms said by the deadline, there are usually a couple thousand essay entries and about 400 art submissions.

Entry forms and detailed rules can be found online at the ASYMCA Website: www.asymca.org. Or for questions, call the ASYMCA at 703-313-9600.