Memorial Day Poster and Essay Contest

The township wants area students to show their patriotism.

To help celebrate Memorial Day, the East Brunswick Department of Recreation and Parks is sponsoring a Memorial Day essay and poster contest.

“We’re trying to generate interest among the young people,” said Karen Kecskes, Recreation Supervisor/Community Services. “The mayor asked us to try and do something to involve the school kids. We came up with an idea to offer an essay contest for kids in grades six to 12. In the past when we’ve done it, we’ve had a decent amount of kids involved.”

In addition to the essay contest, students in grades one through five can enter a poster contest. Students should draw a picture based on the theme of “How My Family Celebrates Memorial Day.” The works of two students from each grade will be selected as winners.

To enter, students must use 8.5 by 11-inch paper only, no framing and the student’s name, grade and school must be printed on the back of the entry. On a separate piece of paper include a parent’s name, address, phone and e-mail.

Winners of the poster contest will be guests at the Memorial Day Observance on May 29 and have their work displayed in the Municipal building through the June. Each winner also will win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card.

For the essay contest, students in grades 10 through 12 and eight through nine are asked to write a two-page essay based on the theme, “What is Patriotism?” Middle School students will be asked to write a two-page essay based on the theme “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”

One winning entry will be selected from the high school, middle school and junior high school. The winning high school students (grades 10 through 12) will be mayor for a day and experience the day-to-day activities of Mayor David Stahl. All winners will receive a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble and will be a guest speaker during the Memorial Day Observance.

VFW Post 133 and Jewish War Veterans Post 34 are providing the prizes. The event is being sponsored by East Brunswick Township and the East Brunswick Veterans Alliance. The Memorial Day Observance will be held Sunday, May 29, at 1 p.m. in Veterans Park at the Municipal Complex.

Entries must be submitted by April 29 to Michael Reissner, director of East Brunswick Recreation and Parks, at 350 Dunhams Corner Road. For more information, call 732-390-6797 or visit facebook.com/ebrec.