Virginia PTA Citizenship Essay Project

The theme for our 2009-2010 project was "Strong Citizens - Strong Communities".

Congratulations to this year's winners!

This essay project allows students to express their views and opinions on “Character or Citizenship”. The Virginia PTA is committed to promoting a sense of citizenship and responsibility in the lives of our children.

All students in grades 6-12 are eligible who are presently enrolled in schools with PTA or PTSA units in “good standing”. A PTA or PTSA in “good standing” is defined as one who has paid Virginia PTA and National PTA dues by December 1, and whose bylaws are current, having been revised within the past five (5) years.

Criteria for student entries for students in grades 9-12 are:

• the essay must be written with a minimum of 750 words,
• must be typed, double spaced,
• Times New Roman and
• 1” margins

Criteria for student entries in grades 6-8 are:

• the essay must be written with a minimum of 500 words,
• must be typed, doubled spaced,
• Times New Roman and
• 1” margins

In both age categories, adherence to the theme, originally, clarity, thought and skill in standard written English will be judged. The theme must be used as the essay title and cannot be changed or altered in any way.

Entries are due to the state office by February 1 each year. Look for updated information on the 2010-2011 project in the Fall of 2010.

Download the Citizenship Essay Project Info/Flier

Download the Citizenship Essay Info and Entry Form