GRAND LODGE AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST
2009 - 2010
‘The American Dream: What Is It?’
I am pleased to announce that the Members of the G/L Americanism Committee
have selected the theme, "The American Dream: What Is It?" for the
2009-2010 Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest. The essay contest starts
with the Subordinate Lodges, progresses through District and State levels,
and ends with the national winners. This very important Patriotic Contest
gives school children in grades 5-8 the opportunity to express their views
on the American Dream.
On the national level, first-place winners in each division will receive a
$1,000 U.S. Savings Bond. Second-place winners receive a $500 bond, and
third-place winners receive a $250 bond. The Lodge that sponsors a national
winner will be presented with a beautiful engraved plaque at the Grand Lodge
Convention.
Many Lodges, District and State Associations also offer different types of
awards to their winners.
Now is the time for all Lodges to contact their local school districts and
provide them with the new topic and ask them to add the essay contest to
their fall curriculum. Additional information on the contest will be found
on the GL Web site and in the 2009-2010 supplement to the Americanism Manual
shortly after the Grand Lodge Convention in Portland.
This is a most important contest because it involves school children in your
area in Americanism at its best and shows that the Members of your Lodge are
proud to be Americans, proud to be Elks and proud to participate in the
Americanism programs of the Grand Lodge. Your G/L Americanism Committee is
committed to serving you and assisting you as we all show pride in America.
May God continue to bless America .. God bless the Elks and may God bless
each of you
JAMES A. Coggins
Grand Lodge
Americanism Committee Member