"Dedicated to Maintaining and Preserving the History of the Inland Water Route of Northern Michigan"

Inland Water Route Historical Society 
To co-inside with Michigan History Week,

The Inland Water Route Historical Society
 is  conducting an Essay Contest for Middle School students of Northern Michigan.

 Scope of Essay:

Write a personal experience essay that is directly related to the Inland Water Route.  The essay should contain a historical reference(s). General topics may include (but are not limited to) Ecological, Fishing, Photography, Vacation, Weather, Family, Incident. The essay should also examine how the experience influenced the writer.

 Eligibility:

To be eligible to submit an essay, students  must currently be enrolled in the 6^th, 7^th , or 8^th grade of a public, private, or parochial school.

 Submission Requirements:

Essays must not exceed more than  600 words in length.

You may submit only ONE essay.

All entries must be received by Friday May 11^th, 2008.

 Awards and Recognition:

$100 will be awarded to the author of the best essay.

Two runners-up will each receive $25.

The winners will be notified by May 18^th,  2008. The winning essay will be published in local publications.

 How to Submit an Essay:

 You will need to prepare the following materials:

1. A cover page. Use a cover page to provide the following information:

Your name
Your date of birth
Home address
Home telephone number
E-mail address (optional)
School's name (or specify home school)
School's telephone number (if applicable)
Grade level (or equivalent), and Teacher’s name
Parent's or guardian's name
Parent's or guardian's daytime telephone number (optional)

 On the cover page, type the following statement

 and sign your name under it:

I am submitting an original essay to the Inland Water Route Historical Society’s Essay Contest. I certify that this essay is my own work and that I have abided by all guidelines and requirements of the Contest. I understand that my essay will not be returned to me and will become the property of the Inland Water Route Historical Society to use at its discretion in activities related to publicizing the contest. I further understand that the judges' decisions are final and that if I am selected as a winner of the contest, I will be available for a photo for a press release.

2. Your essay

The text of your essay should be double-spaced and typed using 11 or 12 point font. The pages should have one-inch margins, be numbered and stapled.

No identifying information should appear on the first page of your essay.

Send your cover page and your essay to:

Inland Water Route Historical Society

Essay Contest

POB  433  Alanson MI  49706

 All entries must be received by May 11th, 2008.

 Evaluation Criteria

 The IWHS will evaluate the essays using the following criteria:

·        The essay reflects a personal experience,  that had an influence upon the writer, and has historical reference.

·        The essay demonstrates the student's own serious reflection of the topic.

·        The essay is focused and well-reasoned.

·        The essay is written clearly, with correct spelling and grammar.

·        The Essay and Writer followed all rules.

 Evaluation Process

         ·        Contest reviewers will see no identifying information about entrants.

·        Reviewers may include people from outside the IWRHS.

Email Mark Hill at hillm@ferris.edu  with any questions  and THANK-YOU!!!!!!