From: The Veterans Day Essay Committee

On behalf of all veterans, we are in the process of planning the Veterans Day Parade and Program scheduled for November 11, 2012. The Essay Contest is always a highlight of the program. The Travis County Veterans Day Committee provides the funding for this program.

The winners of this contest, their school and teacher will be recognized at the Veterans Day Ceremony which will be held on the front steps of the Capitol Building on November 11, 2012 at 11:00 A.M.

We would appreciate it if you could please made your teachers aware of this contest and urge them to have their students participate. I call your attention to the attachment for information pertaining to the Essay Program.

Thanks to each of you for your help in the past years, and we appreciate your support. We hope to keep the tradition alive for years to come.

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TOPIC: "What Veterans Day Means to Me"

LENGTH: Essays are limited to two pages. Papers must be typewritten, one side only on 81/2 by 11 inch paper. You must print two copies of your paper (one for your portfolio, and one to send to the contest).

JUDGING: A committee selected by the Veterans Day Awards Committee will judge all entries. All winning papers will be copied and each original returned to the respective contestant. Content, spelling, punctuation, and compliance with the above information will be used in the judging.

AWARDS: First Place: Grades 6-8: $500.00 Savings Bond

Second Place: Grades 6-8: $200.00 Savings Bond

Third Place: Grades 6-8: $100.00 Savings Bond

WINNERS: The two First Place Essay participants, one high school winner and one middle school winner, selected will be required to orally present his/her essay at the Veterans Day Parade Program held on the front steps of the Capitol. All winners will be announced prior to the Veterans Day program and will be asked to be present for the awards to be given on November 11, 2012. First, second, and third place winners will be required to provide Social Security numbers in order to order their US Saving Bonds.

Grading rubric: / Comments:
Focus: stays on topic of Veterans Day, starting with an interesting opening hook
Organization: uses paragraphs with strong transitions to move from idea to idea
Development: includes specific family details, anecdotes, references, and facts
Voice: stays in 1st person, with personality
Conventions: grammar and punctuation are correct