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Essay Rules 

Theme: “Springs Forever”

RULES

  1. Open to ANY Marion County student in grades 4 th - 12th and must be an original work of that individual student.
  2. Contestants must submit four (4) typewritten copies of their essay, double-spaced on 8 ½ x 11 inch plain, white paper with one-inch margins.
  3. Essay must be typed using a standard size 12 font (suggested: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri).
  4.  Essay must be a minimum of four (4) pages and maximum of five (5) pages in length. The cover page and bibliography do not count towards the page requirement.
  5. Entries must include a COVER PAGE that contains the following information:
  •  Contestants Name
  •  Address
  • Telephone Number
  • Name of School or Club
  • Teacher or Advisor Name
  • Grade Level

Do NOT include your name or any other identifying information on any pages in the essay.

Points will be deducted if the rules are not followed, or the essay is submitted after the deadline.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Three competent and impartial judges will be selected. The judges’ decisions will be final. A standard score sheet, totaling 100 points, will be used based on the following criteria:

  1. Content - 50 point: Knowledge of subject; develops and follows the theme; presents accurate facts; stimulates thinking; originality (no plagiarism)
  2. Composition - 30 points: Innovative style (keeps your interest, clear message, reader easily understands); opening-closing tie in together; proper paragraph transitions; correct use of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation.
  3. Organization - 20 points: Neatness; legibility; correct cover page; conformance to length

AWARDS

All contestants receive complimentary tickets to the Springs Forever Conservation Summit, held on November 14, 2024 from 5 - 7 p.m., hosted/sponsored by Horse Farms Forever, Inc.

Winners chosen in two divisions: 4 th - 8 th & 9 th - 12th

  • 1st Place – $100 & Ribbon
  • 2nd Place – $75 & Ribbon
  • 3rd Place – $50 & Ribbon

DEADLINE

Mailed entries must be postmarked on or before the due date. Contest organizers are NOT responsible for any essays lost in the mail. Essays must be (e)mailed or hand delivered to the District no later than: Friday, November 1, 2024 – 4 p.m.

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District
2710 East Silver Springs Blvd; Ocala, FL 34470
Questions? Contact Marion SWCD at (352) 438-2475 or e-mail: Stefani.Duarte@MarionFl.org