The Division of Recreation is excited to announce the “What Memorial Day Means to Me” Essay Contest!

The contest will be broken into the following groups:

• Group 1: Grade 4
• Group 2: Grades 5 & 6
• Group 3: Grades 7 & 8
• Group 4: Grades 9 & 10
• Group 5: Grades 11 & 12
• Group 6: Veterans

Requirements
Group 1: Grade 4 (200 – 250-word essay)
Group 2: Grades 5 & 6 (200 – 250-word essay)
Group 3: Grades 7 & 8 (250 – 300-word essay)
Group 4: Grades 9 & 10 (300 – 400-word essay)
Group 5: Grades 11 & 12 (300 - 400-word essay)
Group 6: Veterans (300 - 400-word essay)

Topic: “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”

Judging will be based upon those essays that depict the truest meaning of Memorial Day, defined as “honoring those who have lost their lives defending our country”.

They will also be judged on the ability to express thought, clarity of writing, spelling, grammar and overall impact.

Essays should be typewritten and double-spaced on plain white paper, or neatly handwritten and double-spaced on white ruled paper. Please include your name, phone number, school, and grade.

One First Place Winner will be selected from each group.
Each First Place Winner will be awarded a $50 gift card.
The winner in the Veteran Group will be awarded a “Dinner for Two” Gift card, to a restaurant to be named later.

All winners will also have the opportunity to march in the Memorial Day Parade in the 1st Contingent with a banner.

Deadline to submit an essay is Monday, May 1, 2023
.
All essays should be email to BAYONNEMEMORIALDAYPARADE@BAYNJ.ORG.

For more information, please contact Pete Amadeo at 201-8580-6129.