OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES

IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ ALL OF THE CONTEST RULES. Entries that do not adhere strictly to these rules and guidelines will not be judged.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Students MUST submit their essays by U.S. Postal Service (or other union represented delivery company such as United Parcel Service). Entries must be postmarked by April 7, 2010 and addressed to Workers Memorial Essay Contest, c/o Boise Central Trades & Labor Council; 225 N 16^th St., Boise, Idaho 83702.  TWO copies of the essay must be included in your envelope, along with a completed Entry Form. 

REFERENCES REQUIRED: Every essay must include a Bibliography, Work Cited, or Reference Page.

WORD COUNT: Essays should comprise no more than 1,200 words. When conducting your word count, DO NOT includes words contained in your Bibliography, Works Cited, or Reference page.

LANGUAGE: Essays must be in English

YOUR NAME: Please do not include your name anywhere on any page of your essay, other than the title page, if you have one. When you mail your essay, make sure it includes your entry form with your name on it and clip or staple the entry page to your essay. 

RESEARCH: While this is a History of working conditions, research must be an integral element of the writing process and essays must contain a Bibliography, Works Cited or Reference Page, citing all materials used in the research and writing of the essay (parenthetical documentation must accompany research).

ESSAY FORMAT: The essay must be in prose format and may be a commentary or interpretation of primary and secondary source material such as: historical and reference materials; interviews; eyewitness accounts and oral histories; official documents and other primary sources; readings from diaries, letters, autobiographies, and works of poetry; video, or audiotapes, films, art, CD-ROM and Internet sources. The essay must not be a fictitious story or poem. The essay must be primarily directed toward examining the writing prompt.

JUDGING: Entries will be judged anonymously and will not be returned to students. Submissions that adhere to the guidelines will be judged with special attention to (1) evidence of relevant reading and thoughtful use of resource materials; (2) treatment of the assigned themes; and (3) clear and effective language, mechanics and grammar; and a coherent plan of organization.

AUTHOR OF ESSAY: Each essay must be the work of one student and may not be the collective work of more than one student. By submitting an essay, applicants are certifying that their essays are original, authored solely by them, and that in writing their essays, they did not plagiarize or otherwise infringe upon the rights of any third parties.

TEACHERS: It is not necessary for a student to have a sponsoring teacher in order to enter this essay contest. However, high school teachers of The Education Association are encouraged to inspire their students to participate, and in doing so, can become eligible to accompany student winner to THE WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY EVENT were it with be recognized.

NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: Winner will be notified of contest results and winning essay will be posted on our Web Site by April 10, 2010. The winner will join their teacher and Boise Central Trades & Labor Council for a Candle Night Vigil tentatively scheduled for April 28, 2010. At the Hall of Labor on 16^th Street in Boise, Idaho at which time will receive a copy of scholarship of $500 to be paid directly to the Winners College of their choice or trust fund.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships will be paid to each student's post-secondary educational institution after the student has graduated from high school and upon Boise Central Trades & Labor Council receipt of a copy of the student's registration paperwork from said post-secondary educational institution or secondary educational trust fund account.

POSTING ESSAYS: All essays submitted may be used or published in whole or in part by the Boise Central Trades & Labor Council or by other parties with its written permission. The Boise Central Trades & Labor Council reserves the right not to publish any essay it deems inappropriate for any reason.

CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL: The winners of the essay contest MUST agree to participate in the Boise Central Trades & Labor Council’s “Candle Light Vigil” in order to receive a scholarship. In the event that a winner is unable or unwilling to participate in the “Candle Light Vigil” in its entirety, no substitution prize will be awarded.

MOST UNLIKELY… The Boise Central Trades & Labor Council reserves the right not to award a prize or any prizes when submissions do not meet contest standards or criteria.

For more information, call us at (208) 343-1561. E-mail questions (not essays) to alecia@boiseclc.org