The year of 2012 will mark the City of Alton’s 175th year anniversary. Mayor Tom Hoechst, the Alton City Council and community organizations are already busy planning great activities and events to celebrate this significant milestone.
As part of the events and to foster participation of Alton citizens of all ages, The Hayner Public Library District will be sponsoring two competitions for any child attending schools in the Hayner library district (Alton, Godfrey and Foster Townships) or any child being homeschooled within the Hayner district. The two contests include an original poster design competition and an original essay competition.
There will be three levels of judging for each of the two contests (poster drawing contest/essay contest). The three levels of judging are: elementary school age, middle school age and high school age. A Grand prize winner will be picked for each judging level in both competitions. The grand prize winner will receive a Kindle Fire and their work will be featured in the Alton 175 Year Commemorative Booklet to be published by the City of Alton and the Alton Telegraph. The winners will be recognized by the Alton City Council and their work displayed in various sites throughout the community.
Contest Number 1: Original Poster Design
Three levels of judging: elementary school age, middle school age and high school. There will be three first prize winners, one from each school age group. Entrants must submit an 8 ½ x 11 poster design in a medium of their choice.
Submissions due at any Hayner library location by February 29, 2012. Winners will be notified in March 2012. Winners must be able to attend a City Council Meeting to receive their award. The subject of the poster must depict some aspect of Alton’s history. Posters will be judged on subject originality and artistic skill, commensurate with age.
Contest Number 2: Original Essay
Three levels of judging: elementary school age, middle school age and high school. There will be three first prize winners, one from each school age group. Entrants must submit an essay, not to exceed 300 words. Submissions due at any Hayner library location by February 29, 2012. Winners will be notified in March 2012. Winners must be able to attend a City Council Meeting to receive their award.
The subject of the essay for elementary school composition must be “What does Alton Mean to you.” Middle and high school level essays must include an historical component highlighting the importance or consequence of a point in Alton’s history to life today.
Essays will be judged on subject originality and creativity, grammar and composition and historical accuracy.
Employees of The Hayner Public Library District and their families are not eligible to participate in these contests.