Please take a look at this new competition that has been brought in by MD, it is an International Competition in its early stages. The dates are the same as the Peace Poster. Thank you
Essay Competition
Lions clubs around the world are encouraged to sponsor students in the Lions International Essay Contest.The Essay Contest is for visually impaired young people. In this context visually impaired is more than simply needing glasses though an exact definition is hard to come by, a good guide would be the issue of limited vision being included in special educational needs provision. This contest was only introduced last year, here is a link for more information.
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/member-center/online-community/official-contests/lions-international-essay-contest.php
Although some clubs may have schools in their area that specialise in visual impairment many of the potential entrants will be within main stream schools. An approach to the LEA advisor may be a way to find eligible youngsters.
Contest Guidelines
Each essay must be submitted with a completed entry form. Essays must be no longer than 500 words in length, submitted in English, type-written in black ink and double-spaced.
The grand prize winner will be notified on or before June 1.
Here is an example of last year's grand winner's essay. I am hoping that this will encourage clubs to go out there and particapite in this competition.
Power of Peace
2010-2011 Lions International Essay Contest Grand Prize Winner
By Amy Bosko, Age 12, Illinois, USA
There are three simple solutions to peace. The three solutions are, eliminating
war, communication, and respecting people's differences.
Many of our loved ones have died in wars. And regardless of where one is from,
we can all agree that death is a tragedy that can be avoided. Soldiers are risking their
lives and leaving families in fear wondering whether or not they will return home
safely. There is a vast amount of people from various countries who have no food or
shelter. Meanwhile, we are disputing over unnecessary topics such as race, money, and
cultural differences, which leads to war! People should not be judged by who they are,
what they have, or what they believe in. For instance, I am a 12 year old who has to
cope with and accept my disability of being blind. I wouldn't want people to judge me for
only that. I am no different than anyone else.
Everyone needs to put forth an effort to communicate in order to avoid conflict.
Without communication, it would be very challenging to come together as one, and
promote world peace. It takes a team effort to make the world a peaceful place. It's
encouraging how the world works together in a synergistic union to make the world part
of a more peaceful universe. If we don't respect people's differences, then we can't
have peace. You can't just look at somebody and judge them because they are
different. For example, if your best friend suddenly became terminally ill, offer them
moral support and try to see things through their perspective. This might inspire you to
treat them more equally. Most people who are different are more aware with their other
senses. I am blind. However, I have senses that make me see a clear vision for world
peace. I can hear the laughter of families floating across the borders of all countries.
Laughter and communication skills are universal languages. I can taste the various
foods from across the globe, blending seamlessly together, making their way to the less
fortunate. I can smell the clean air from everywhere knowing that everyone needs air to
breath and would enjoy feasting on the various aromas weaved throughout the world.
Most importantly, I can feel the sense and feel the power of peace when I meet a
stranger and offer a peaceful greeting without being judgmental. People are different.
People have much to offer, whether it be an act of kindness or discovering a cure for an
illness. Joined together, different types of people are a powerful force and could inspire
the world to function more successfully and peacefully. I may be blind, but I have the
power to promote peacefulness on a daily basis.
All the things that I have mentioned should be practiced on a daily basis. If we all
put our best foot forward, then the world would be a better place. So, as you can see, if
we try to avoid wars, communicate more, and respect people's differences, we would
have a more peaceful environment.
LIONS INTERNATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST RULES
Contest is open to students who are considered visually impaired according to their national guidelines and will be 11, 12 or 13 years of age on November 15, 2012
Only a Lions club can sponsor the contest. The contest may be sponsored in a local school(s) or organized, sponsored youth group(s), or individuals may be sponsored as well. A Lioness club can sponsor the contest through its sponsoring Lions club.
The contest theme is "Imagine Peace."
Essays must be no longer than 500 words in length, submitted in English, type-written in black ink and double-spaced.
Each essay must be submitted with a completed entry form. Essays submitted without completed entry forms will be automatically disqualified.
Only one entry per student per year, and each entry must be the work of only one student.
Essay entries cannot have already been published.
Any essays found to be plagiarized will be automatically disqualified and the student will be prohibited from entering any future Lions competitions.
One grand prize winner will receive an award and US$5,000. The winner will be notified by February 1.
The postmark deadline for a club to send one winning essay to the district governor is November 15.
Note: A participating club should notify its district governor in advance of sending an entry.
A club not belonging to a district must send its entry directly to the Public Relations Department at Lions Clubs International (to be postmarked by December 1).
The postmark deadline for a district to send one winning essay to the multiple district council chairperson is December 1. A district not belonging to a multiple district must send its entries directly to the Public Relations Department at Lions Clubs International (to be postmarked by December 1).
The postmark deadline for a multiple district to send one winning essay to the Public Relations Department at Lions Clubs International is December 15.
Multiple districts (and clubs not belonging to districts and districts not belonging to multiple districts) may send their essay entries and forms to: Essay Contest, Public Relations Department, Lions Clubs International, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842. Entries and forms may also be sent to Lions Clubs International Headquarters by fax at 630-571-1685 or e-mail to pr@lionsclubs.org (the words "Lions Essay Contest" must appear in the Subject Line of the e-mail).
Participants accept all responsibility for late, lost, misdirected or illegible entries. Entries sent with insufficient postage will be disqualified. Entries cannot be acknowledged or returned; they become property of Lions Clubs International upon receipt. Essays cannot be published without written permission from Lions Clubs International. However, sponsoring clubs, districts and multiple districts have permission to publish their sponsored essays.
In consideration for the opportunity to enter the Lions International Essay Contest, participants agree to allow Lions Clubs International to use their names, photographs and essays for promotional and publicity purposes. An international grand-prize winner is not eligible to receive subsequent prizes in future Lions International Essay Contests. By entering, participants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the judges and Lions Clubs International. Lions Clubs International may cancel the contest without notice at any time. The contest is void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.
LIONS INTERNATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST ENTRY FORM
Please type or print clearly. All information and signatures are required.
I. Student Information
Winner's Name _______________________________________________________________________
Essay Title ______________________________________________________________________
Age ____________ Birth Date ____________ Check One: Male _______ Female ________
Day/Month/Year
School _____________________________________
Grade Home Phone Number*
E-Mail _____________________________________
Student's Street Address (No P.O. Boxes)
City, State, Country _________________________________________ Postal or ZIP Code
Parent or Legal Guardian Signature ______________________________________________________
II. Lions Club Information
Club Name __________________________________________________________________________
Club Number ________________________________ District Number _________________________
President Name ______________________________________________________________________
Cell (or Home) Phone* ____________________________ Work Phone*
E-Mail _____________________________________
Street Address (No P.O. Boxes)
City, State, Country _________________________________________ Postal or ZIP Code
Club President Signature ______________________________________________________
III. District Information
District Governor ______________________________________________________
Cell (or Home) Phone* ____________________________ Work Phone*
E-Mail _____________________________________
District Governor Signature ______________________________________________________
IV. Multiple District Information
Multiple District Council Chairperson ______________________________________________________
Cell (or Home) Phone* ____________________________ Work Phone*
E-Mail _____________________________________
Council Chairperson Signature ______________________________________________________
*Include area code in the U.S. or country and city codes outside the U.S.
