Arlington's aspiring young authors have their pens poised and their minds brimming with tales of tusks, tails, feathers, and fur for the 2024 Sheri Capehart Animal Essay Contest. In what marks its 23rd year, the competition is beckoning students from third to sixth grade residing in Arlington to weigh in on wildlife, migration, environmental impacts, and habitat loss. Kicking off on February 26, and running through March 1, these young scribes have a small window to make their passionate pleas for the animal kingdom, according to the City of Arlington, Texas.
The young contestants must flex their creative muscles to pen original essays, capping at 500 words. Submission is a breeze, with entries welcomed digitally until the evening of the deadline. However, latecomers be warned: no hand-delivered entries will be accepted after the strict 5 p.m. cutoff on Friday, March 1st. Prizes for the elucidating essays include a $100 savings account, with kudos from the City of Arlington, EECU, and Spring Creek Barbeque.
The topics for this year's challenge are sure to stir the stew of thoughts simmering in the minds of youths. Third-graders are asked to explore how humans and wildlife can harmoniously share our expanding footprint. Meanwhile, fourth-graders will delve into the phenomenon of animal migration, and fifth-grade entrants will analyze the environmental issues pressing down on our animal brethren. The task for sixth graders is perhaps the most sobering: tackle the thorny issue of endangered species and habitat loss and offer imaginative solutions to these global concerns.
Those eager to join the foray must ensure their submissions are accompanied by a cover sheet with essential details like the student's name, address, contact number, school, grade, teacher's name, and, a touch whimsically, their two favorite book titles. True to the spirit of fair competition, past winners need not apply, as the contest is only open to fresh minds and new ideas.
Interested families or educators are encouraged to direct their inquiries to their local pedagogues or by visiting the aforementioned contest page. With the prospect of a crisp $100 bill in a savings account and the bragging rights as a youthful conservationist, Arlington's third through sixth graders are set to storm the literary stage with their pens as their swords, fighting valiantly for the voiceless creatures sharing our planet.
