The Qualicum Beach Legion Branch 76 is looking forward to receiving entries for it annual Literary and Poster Contest.
Through its longstanding tradition of the Annual Literary and Poster Contests during the Poppy Campaign, Canadian schoolchildren have an opportunity to express their understanding of the National Remembrance Day Service, and the act of honouring our military heritage through art and literature.
Fostering Remembrance is a part of everything we do. The contest is initiated through schools who receive a teaching aid package from the Legion each September to assist teachers in guiding children through the contest elements. There are four age categories: Senior (Grades 10-12); Intermediate (Grades 7-9); Junior (Grades 4-6); and Primary Poster Contest only (Grades 1-3).
The poster contest is divided into two divisions - colour and black and white. The literary contest is divided into essay and Poem divisions. Students may enter as many contests as they wish, but may submit only one entry for each category.
The teaching guide is available at http://www.legion.ca/wp- content/uploads/2014/10/TeachingGuide_Jan2014_e.pdf.
The Qualicum Beach Legion Youth Chairman works with the schools to keep them advised of the entry deadline and judging dates. Initial judging takes place at the Branch in November.
The winning entries progress to further judging at the Zone, Provincial and National levels.
Qualicum Beach winners receive a monetary award and a Certificate of Participation. Judging Guidelines can be found at http://www.legion.ca/wp- content/uploads/2013/10/JudgingGuidelines_Form_2014_E.pdf.
The National winning entries, along with the names of the entrants, are published on line at http://www.legion.ca/youth/contests.
The winning entries for the four categories are displayed at the Canadian War Museum from July 1 to May 1 of the following year. For the poster contest, the second place winners, and any receiving an Honourable Mention, are also displayed in the foyer of the House of Commons during the annual Remembrance period in November.
As well, The Legion sponsors a trip to Ottawa for the senior national winners to attend the National Remembrance Day Service where they place a wreath on behalf of the youth of Canada.
They also have an opportunity to meet and visit with the Governor General.
Last year the Qualicum Legion had 87 entries and is looking forward to this year’s entries.
It is encouraging all students and teachers to participate in this very meaningful Legion Remembrance Contest, which is also an opportunity for young people to become aware of the sacrifice that so many made so that we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have in today’s society.
“Please take this opportunity to thank our many Veterans for their contribution,” said Don Taylor, President of Qualicum Beach Legion Branch 76.