Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-14
Conditions for
The Maine Prize
Essay Contest for
Natl Forest Week

Dr. Augustus y. IhomaS, state
commissioner of education, in a
communication sent out Tuesday to
school authorities, says that each
state is requested to present a pro-
gram which will emphasize the con-
servation of our forests during
American Forest Week." from April
Is to "a.
This includes attention to fire
prevention and also to re-foreStation
and proper methods of cutting and
clearing up" continues Commits
sioner Thomas in his communica-
ton.
"As a part of the American Forest
Week program for the State of
Maine, the State Forest Service
through Commissioner Neil L.
Violette, offers $500 in prizes for the
best essays on Forests of Maine,
Their Protection and Conservation.
This essay contest is open to all
students in grammar and high
schools of the state. Essays will be
judged for original ideas and clear
ness of expression. Seven hundred
words is the maximum length of the
essays which will be received. They
must be carefully written with
either pen or typewriter and on one
side of the sheet only. The name
of the writer must not be placed on
the essay. 1t should be numbered in
stead and should be accompanied by
a sealed envelope which contains the
number, the name of the writer and
the name of the school represented.
THE winning essays must be filed
not later than midnight of May II
with the county committee, which
will be appointed and announced
later. The winning essays of each
county must be sent to the State De-
partment Of Education to be placed
in the hands Of the state committee
not later than midnight of May "a.
Spelling. punctuation, paragraphing
clearness of thought and diction are
important.
THE local school authorities shall
select out all papers submitted, one
each from both grammar and high
schools, the essay which in their
judgment is the most meritorious and
shall send it to the county committee.
Ten Dollars will be awarded to
the high school student in each
county presenting the best essay and
five dollars for the winner in the
grammar school contest. Twenty
five dollars and $40 will be awarded
to the first and second winners from
high schools and SIS and $40 to the
first winners from grammar schools.
I'm sending out this letter request
ing school people to take an in
terest in the subject. do so with the
knowledge that prize contests of this
sort are frequently offered for COM
mercial purposes and that such con-
tests are discouraged. This however
is purely educational and of special
state interest.
1.-The value of our forests to- the
people of Maine cannot be estimated.
The youth OF our state should be
brought up in full appreciation of
this great resource and how to pro-
tect it and transmit 1t to those who
shall come after us. Let me sug-
gest to superintendent, principals
and teachers that during American
Forest Week special lessons be given
on this subject and that all children
be induced to write essays. There is
much information on this subject
available now through various ad-
vertising bureaus. A special lesson
should be given early in the week so
that the children may be taught
how to collect data which may be
woven into their essays. Commits
sioner Violetts will send . special