Every year the Grand Lodge sponsers an essay contest for anyone in grades 5 through 8. The contestents submit their entries first at the local lodge, where they are judged with the best submissions going to the state. The state judges entries from all of their lodges with the best entries passing on to the Grand Lodge. Winners are recognized at all levels with certificates and cash prizes.
On the national level, first-place winners in each division will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond. Second-place winners receive a $500 bond, and third-place winners receive a $250 bond. The Lodge that sponsors a national winner will be presented with a beautiful engraved plaque at the Grand Lodge Convention. Many Lodges, District and State Associations also offer different types of awards to their winners.
The Woodstock Elks Lodge accepts entries from any school in our area that wishes to participate. This past year we accepted entries from 9 different area schools. We are hoping for even greater participation in the coming year.
