ART AND LETTERS CONTEST TIED TO GUBERNATORIAL RACE SEEKS SUBMISSIONS FROM TEXAS KIDS Students Invited to Send Messages to Candidates for Nonpartisan "Letters to Leaders”
AUSTIN – Schools, classrooms and after-school programs across Texas are invited to participate in Letters to Leaders, a student art and letter-writing contest especially for Texas school children, which offers a hands-on civic engagement lesson for young Texans. For the 2010 contest, winners will have their submissions shared in a capital-area public forum with state leaders in advance of the Texas governor's race.
Now in its second year, Letters to Leaders collects messages from elementary and secondary school students to help demonstrate students' role in public life and make a connection between children and those in office or seeking office statewide. The educational initiative is sponsored by Texans Care for Children, a 25-year-old nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which works to improve conditions for Texas children.
For the 2010 contest, children in grades K-3 are invited to submit artwork (an illustration or painting) on the subject: "What Texas leaders can do to make Texas even better.” Children in fourth grade and above are invited to participate in the letter-writing contest, submitting letters with the salutation "Dear Candidates for Governor” and at least one question to the candidates, as well as a suggestion, about "What the next Texas Governor can do to make Texas even better.” All submissions must be postmarked no later than Feb. 1, 2010.
For complete contest guidelines and teacher lesson plans tied to TEKS learning objectives, visit www.txchildren.org.
