The Americanism Committee is pleased to announce a National Americanism Poster Contest.  This new contest will be directed at students in the 4^th or 5^th grades, depending on which grade year the American Revolution is taught in their educational system.  The National Society Elementary School Poster Contest will stimulate interest in American History in support of the Fourth or Fifth Grade Curriculum.  The topic for the Poster Contest will be set by the Americanism Committee at each Spring Trustee’s Meeting for the upcoming fall school year.  The contest will be judged at the National Congress each year.  A representative of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) will be invited to participate in the poster judging.

The topic for 2007 - 2008 year’s contest is:

Posters will be judged by the following criteria:

1. Does the poster express the annual theme?
   
   
2. Does the poster show originality by the student?
   
   
3. Does the poster show evidence of research?
   
   
4. Does the poster show artistic merit and creativity?
   
   
5. Is the poster neat?

The winner from each local school will compete at Chapter level and the then the Chapter winner will compete at State level.  Once the State Society has selected a winner, it will represent the State Society at the National Level.  Only one entry from each State will be accepted.   The State Winners will be on display during National Contest and the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Place Winners will be announced during National Congress.  The top National winners will receive a Rosette Ribbon and a monetary award that will be funded from the Americanism Trust Fund.

An entry form is to be filed with the Executive Director and the Chairman of the Americanism Committee by June 1 prior to Congress.

The deadline for having the poster at Congress for the contest will be Sunday afternoon following the National Memorial Service.  This will permit the Posters to be brought to Congress by a State Representative and not having to mail them.  The posters will be displayed and the Americanism Committee members will judge the Posters immediately following the National Memorial Service.

With the creation of this new contest and award, the Americanism Committee feels this completes total involvement of all our youth by the National Society.  We encourage you to get your chapter started on this great new program!  If you have any questions, please contact Americanism Chairman.