STATE-WIDE STUDENT AWARDS

There are five state-wide winners. These students win the following cash awards (inclusive of school award):

1st Place: $1,000
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $500
4th Place: $300
5th Place: $200

SCHOOL AWARDS

Schools that meet minimum participation requirements will have a $100 School Winner and three $50 Grade Winners:

• Minimum participation to have a $100 School Winner is a total of 250 essays written from the school.
   
• Minimum participation for a $50 Grade Winner is a total of 250 essays written from the school and 100 essays written for that grade level. (Schools with less than 100 students per grade can qualify for grade level prizes if at least 80 percent of the students in the grade write an essay.)

Example 1: A school submits 600 essays, and there are over 100 essays for each grade level. That school will have 3 Grade Winners at $50 each, and a School Winner (the "Best of Grade Winners") at $100.

Example 2: A school submits 600 essays, and there are 100 essays from 9th grade, 200 essays from 10th grade, 250 essays from 11th grade, and 50 essays from 12th grade. Total 12th grade enrollment at the school is 250. This school would have 1 School Winner and 2 Grade Winners.

Each school's School Winner is also a State Finalist, and his or her essay is entered into the final judging for the State cash prize awards.

TEACHER AWARDS

• Each Contest Chairperson who generates essays from at least 25% of his or her school's enrollment (or 250 essays, if the school enrollment is less than 1,000 students) will receive a $100 honorarium.
   
• The teacher of the state-wide Grand Prize Winner will receive $100.