2009 “Step Up for Kids!” Essay Contest

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Voices for Georgia’s Children invites students in grades K-12 to enter its essay contest. One winner will be selected in each category:

  • elementary school
  • middle school, and
  • high school.

Theme
What can we do with a million?

Context
In Georgia:

  • a child is born into poverty every 16 minutes
  • a child is abused or neglected every 13 minutes
  • a child dies before his or her birthday every 8 hours
  • a child or teenager is killed by gunfire every 4 days

Source: The Children’s Defense Fund

Georgia marks the enrollment of the millionth child in Georgia’s Pre-K program in October 2009. As we celebrate this milestone, Voices for Georgia’s Children contemplates, “How much is a million?” “What does a million mean to Georgia’s future?” “How far can a million go in improving the lives of Georgia’s children?”

This year’s essay question is:
What would you do to improve the lives of Georgia’s children with a million?

  • If you had $1 million to spend to improve children’s outcomes, how would you use it? 0R
  • There are approximately one million minutes in a state legislator’s or U.S. congressman’s two-year term of office. What can they do to make every minute count for the kids they represent?

Guidelines
Essays should be no more than one page, single-spaced.
Make sure that your name, contact information, and grade is clearly indicated on your essay.

Deadline
Submit the essay via email by October 5, 2009 to Voices for Georgia’s Children at mbinderman@georgiavoices.org.

Prizes
Winners will receive $50 gift certificates and an opportunity to read their essays at The Step Up for Kids! Rally in Atlanta on Oct. 20, 2009, on the steps of the state Capitol, 206 Washington Street, SW between 10:30-11:30a.m. The rally is one of similar rallies that will occur nation-wide in October. Our objective is to raise public awareness of the needs of children and families in Georgia and the U.S. and to urge our elected leaders to make investing in children the number one priority.

For questions, call Mindy Binderman, advocacy director, at 404-521-0311.

Invitation to co-sponsor the event.

Sign up to co-sponsor the event.

Contact:
William Valladares
Communications Coordinator
404-527-7394 (x114)

william@gafcp.org