Emmet County Historical Essay Contest for elementary students: The Emmet County Historical Commission is once again holding its annual Historical Essay Contest, which is open to any third- or fourth-grade student in Emmet County, including home-schooled children. First-place earns $100, while second-place wins $50. The teacher of the winning student also will receive a $50 stipend to use for classroom supplies.
Here are the rules: Contestants may write about any topic that involves Emmet County history. The essay should be two pages or less, typed double-space. Only one entry per student is allowed. Entries may be submitted individually or through schools or libraries. The student’s name should not be on the essay, only on the entry form. (Download the entry form by clicking here)
The entry form should be placed on top of four copies of the essay. Entries must be postmarked by April 18, 2016 and should be sent to:
Emmet County History Contest
c/o Melinda Spencley
711 Plains Road
Brutus, Michigan 49716
Or entries may be mailed to: essay@emmetcounty.org
An advisory committee will judge the entries and determine the winners.
The prize money for this contest is derived from the Bob Schulze Fund for Creative Writing held at the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. Schulze was a long-time summer resident of Emmet County. He won such a prize at his Springfield, Ill., high school. After his passing, his family used his memorial funds to establish the creative writing fund some years ago.
“We feel this continues to be one way to get young students interested in the really rich, unique history of this place where they live – Emmet County,” said Melinda Spencley, Emmet County Historical Commission member. “There are so many different, interesting facets of our history. In the past, some students have even taken the time to interview their own grandparents about ‘the way things used to be’ in Emmet County, which have made for some terrific essays.”
A brochure with complete Essay Contest details can be downloaded from the County web site by clicking here. It provides other ideas for essay subjects, as well as all contest rules and the entry form.
If you have questions about the contest, call Emmet County Communications Director Beth Anne Eckerle at (231) 348-1704 or email her at beckerle@emmetcounty.org
About the Historical Commission
The Emmet County Historical Commission was established in 2008 by the Board of Commissioners at the time the county purchased the historic McGulpin Point Lighthouse, just west of downtown Mackinaw City.
The Commission is responsible for the development and maintenance of the lighthouse, which is now open to the public, as well as other historical resources within Emmet County. The Commission has focused its efforts as well on education about Emmet County’s rich history. This History Contest is one aspect of that effort.
