The Cromaine Library’s Grant Sweet Memorial Essay Contest is open to all Livingston County students in grades 7-12, including home-school equivalents.
Cromaine Library hosts this in memory of Grant Sweet, long-time Cromaine employee, who cared deeply about the veterans who have served this country and had tremendous respect for their contributions.
To enter, students have to interview a soldier or veteran and compose a 250-word essay on what service meant/means to the veteran and themselves. New this year, students may request a list of soldier/veteran names and contact information of those willing to be interviewed for this contest by emailing Stefanie Furge, the Community Engagement Specialist for Cromaine, at sfurge@cromaine.org.
“We know not every student knows an active duty soldier or veteran,” Furge said. “We wanted to give each student the chance to enter this important contest as we continue to honor Grant Sweet and those who have served, or continue to serve, our country.”
Contest requirements, including the entry form, can be found here. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Prizes are $300, $200, and $100 for the top three essayists, plus medals from the American Legion. Longtime supporters of the contest prizes include the Friends of Cromaine Library, American Legion Austin Moore Post 415, and anonymous donors.
Winners will be announced, and winning essays read aloud, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Hartland Music Hall. Due to current occupancy restrictions, this event is by invitation only. The announcement will be recorded and released on Cromaine’s social media sites on Veteran’s Day.
