National Character Counts! Week
October 21-27, 2007

The National Character Counts” Week will be observed the fourth week of
October, October 21-27, 2007.

Several events have been planned for the county and schools.

We would like to encourage your support and help with the National Character Counts! Essay, Poetry, and Art Competition by encouraging students at your school to participate in the event.

Character Counts! Essay Contest

Students will write an essay about one of the suggested maxims or timeless truths for everyday living. (See attached lists for elementary and middle school/high school).

Grades 1-2 $20.00 80 words minimum
Grades 3-5 $30.00 120 words minimum to 500 words
maximum
Grades 6-8 $60.00 150 words minimum to 1000
words maximum
Grades 9-12 $80.00 250 words minimum to 1000
words maximum
College $100.00 500 words minimum to 1000
words maximum

Character Counts! Poetry Contest

Students will write a poem about one of the maxims or timeless truths for everyday living. (See attached lists for elementary and middle school/high school).

Grades 1-2 $20.00 minimum of 12 lines
Grades 3-5 $30.00 minimum of 20 lines
Grades 6-8 $60.00 minimum of 30 lines
Grades 9-12 $80.00 minimum of 60 lines
College $100.00 minimum of 90 lines


Judges will be looking for accurate discussions related to the maxims.

Character Counts! Art Contest

This contest will include any medium except computer-generated artwork. The
subject is the student’s interpretation of maxims or timeless truths for everyday living. (See attached lists for elementary and middle school/high school). Judges will consider originality. Two-dimensional (no larger than 18” x 24”) and
three-dimensional (no larger than 18” x 24”-height, width, depth) work will be accepted.
Preschool-Kindergarten $10.00
Grades 1-2 $20.00
Grades 3-5 $30.00
Grades 6-8 $60.00
Grade 9-12 $80.00
College $100.00

Note-only one cash prize will be awarded in each division. Each of the winning essays will receive a certificate.


Additional resources for teachers may be obtained at internet site:
www.FFL-essays.org

Only one entry for each category in each age group may be entered from
each school. Please make in building selections and display in your school during National Character Counts! Week.

All entries must be turned into Cla Avery, Executive Director, Character Counts! in Chaves County, Character Counts! Office, located in the Roswell Chamber of Commerce, 131 W. Second Street, Roswell, NM, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 11.

Each entry in the Essay, Poetry, and Art contests must be an individual
project. No group projects will be accepted. Each entry must be labeled with the correct entry form completely filled out and attached. *PLEASE INDICATE THE MAXIM ON THE TAG.
The students winning each area of competition will be recognized at the 10th Annual Super-Celebration at Roswell High School Commons area on Thursday, October 25, at 6:00 P.M. The winning students will read their essays and poems, and the winning artwork will be displayed at the awards program.


These are additional suggestions for activities that you might consider conducting at your school:

a. Allow students to read a maxim as part of the announcements of the
day during National Character Counts! Week.

b. Allow students to wear one of the Pillar colors on Pillar Wednesday, October 24.

Blue-Trustworthiness
Yellow-Respect
Green-Responsibility
Orange-Fairness
Red-Caring
Purple-Citizenship

c. Register at the www.CharacterCounts.org site for additional ideas.

d. Refer to the National Character Counts! Week ideas, activities,
announcements, plays, posters, bookmarks, pledges, etc. (Handout)

e. Foundations for Life Maxims for Elementary, Middle School, High
School (Handout)

Thank you so much for your help and support!