South Boston Citizens’ Association President Tom McGrath announced today that because of the tremendous success of the past several years’ contest, the Association, along with Mass Bay Credit Union and Comcast will sponsor the 2018 Annual Essay and Poster Contests.
After last year’s outstanding effort put forth by past President Bernie O’Donnell, he has once again expressed an interest in taking on the challenge of chairing the Essay and Poster Contests. “Bernie always taught me that these contests are a great way to educate and strengthen the interest of the children of the community. I was more than pleased when Bernie offered to head up this event for the children of South Boston”, remarked McGrath.
Bernie further expressed “One of the missions of the SBCA is to reach out to the young children of this historically rich community, Joining the SBCA in promoting, organizing, and judging the Evacuation Day Poster and Essay Competitions is a most fitting way to improve on that mission.”
Subject matter has been specifically chosen
The Poster Competition is open to all students in grades 3, 4 and 5 who are either South Boston residents or who attend school in South Boston. This year’s theme is Historic South Boston, for example, Dorchester Heights, Castle Island, Farragut Statue, L St Bath House (Curley Rec. Center) or the Evacuation Day Parade. Posters should be original compositions, in any medium, at least 8 ½” x 11”, but preferably larger. Prizes are as follows first prize $100, second prize $75, and third prize $25.
The Essay Competition is open to all students in grades 6 through 12 who are either South Boston residents or who attend school in South Boston. The Essay themes are broken down according to grade, as follows: For students in grades 6 through 8: What roles did General John Thomas, Colonel Henry Knox, Lt. Colonel Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys have in the fortification of Dorchester Heights? Essays should be at least 500 words, prizes are as follows first prize $100, second prize $75, third prize $25.
The Topic for students in grades 9 through 12: Recent historical books like Bill O’Reilly’s Killing England transport readers to the events of the American Revolution. In your essay take us to events leading up to March 17, 1776 in Boston and Dorchester Heights. Why is it important to South Bostonians and all Americans? Essays should be at least 1000 words, prizes are as follows; first prize $150, second prize 100, third prize $50.
As in years past, the SBCA, Mass Bay CU and Comcast are generously sponsoring the competitions. All prizes will be presented during the Historical Exercises on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Dorchester Heights, following the 9:00A.M. Mass at St. Augustine’s Chapel, weather permitting.
All entries should bear, in an attached envelope, the contestant’s name, school and a means of contacting the entrant, and should be submitted no later than Friday, March 9th, 2018 at 5 PM. All entries may be mailed to South Boston Citizens’ Association, P.O. Box 74, South Boston, MA 02127, or can be picked up at schools by a representative of the Citizens’ Association. Entries can also be dropped off at 170 M Street.
