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Bald eagle essay contest announced
eagle perch
Bald eagles feeding are roadside carrion often lift up to a nearby tree and provide an interesting view of the bird.

APPLE RIVER — The Eagle Nature Foundation (ENF) has just announced that it will be sponsoring a bald eagle essay contest as part of its 60th Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 11 in Galena, Ill. 

The contest will consist of two divisions, a Senior High and a Junior High School Division. The four winners in each division will receive $100 for first place, $50 for second place, $25 for third place and $10 for fourth place. The school with the first-place winner in each division will receive a trophy and a check for $50. This essay contest is open to all students; home schooled, public and private school students.

The essays must be 500 words or less and titled “What the Bald Eagle Means to Me.” The essays must be postmarked before Aug. 20. Each school can only send in four entries, so each school will be responsible for prejudging their essays, so only the best four essays from that school are entered. For the final judging the students who write the essays must read their essays at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11, during the 60th Anniversary Celebration. An independent panel of judges will deliberate and choose the placements of the entries in each Division. The Awards will be presented in the afternoon of Sept. 11, after the second Flying Bird of Prey Show.

The four finalists in each Division will be notified by Sept. 6, so they, their family and teacher, can make arrangements to be present for the final judging. Each of the top eight entrants will receive two $20 tickets for the Flying Bird of Prey Shows. They will also be invited to join the 60th Celebration 6:30 p.m. banquet in the DeSoto House Hotel that evening.

ENF is making this announcement now, so teachers can get their students’ essays written this spring before summer vacation. There will be no time to get them written after school begins in the fall. The essays may be sent to ENF any time before Aug. 20.

Rules and entry forms for this contest can be received by writing Eagle Nature Foundation, 300 East Hickory Street, Apple River, IL 61001 or calling 815-594-2306.