Feb 6, 2018 2 min read

Washington Health System Teen Outreach is sponsoring its eighth Black History Month essay contest.

Washington County students in grades 7 to 12 can submit entries no later than midnight Feb. 23 to podmj@healthyteens.com.

This year’s theme coordinates with the LeMoyne Center’s theme, “Threading Through History.” The essay should explore the theme or importance of three things: respect for black history all year, why there should not be a separate Black History Month and what it means to be an ally.

Students may write about any or all of those concepts or create another topic dealing with respect for black history. The key content should be student-driven.

The essay must be original and from 500 to 750 words.

Entries must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, labeled with the author’s name, parent/guardian name, grade, school, home address, email and author’s phone number.

Winners will be notified at the Common Ground Teen Center, 53 N. College St., Washington, from 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 26. All essayists should plan to attend. First place wins a $100 gift card, second place a $50 gift card and honorable mention a $25 gift card. Winning essays will be printed in the Observer-Reporter.

Winners are expected to attend and read their essays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Community Black History Day event at LeMoyne Community Center, 200 N. Forrest Ave., Washington.

For more information, call Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski at 412-877-4906.