The American Legion Post 176 of Monroe has an essay program open to students in sixth to eighth grade who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial school, or home-study program in Monroe and Newtown.ndrandle@charter.netndrandle@charter.netMore information about the American Legion Post 176 is available online at .alpost176.org

Donna Monteleone Randle and Jan Larsen co-chair the essay program for American Legion Post 176. This is the first year for the Constitutional Quill program. The essay theme is "The Importance of Voting."

Essays will be judged based upon knowledge, theme development, and clarity of ideas. Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points: students must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in their work and demonstrate that they have researched the issue extensively. Theme development is worth 35 points: students should include all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when, and why, and give examples to illustrate their facts. Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points: students should write their essay in an easy-to-understand format, and leave readers with a clear understanding of the explanation of the theme.

Students may work with their teachers and parents to develop ideas for their essay. The essay, between 300 and 500 words, must be written by the student and typed in a Word document.

Students must submit their essay by e-mail to their teacher, with the completed Constitutional Quill cover sheet, no later than Thursday, February 22. The cover sheet may be handed in to teachers manually as long as the essay is e-mailed.

no later than Saturday, February 24.Students will be assigned a code by their teachers to keep the contest anonymous. Only teachers will know the writer's assigned code until winners are chosen. Coded essays, in PDF format, must be e-mailed, by teachers, to Donna Randle/Post 176 at

A winner from each grade level, in each town, will be chosen by a panel of judges. Winners will be awarded a certificate and an American Legion Department of Connecticut Centennial pin. The Centennial Pin is in recognition of the formation of the American Legion in France, after World War I, on February 16, 1919. The US Congress chartered the American Legion on September 16, 1919.

.Ms Randle recommended that students contact their language arts or history teachers to participate in the essay contest. She also said a panel of judges will be set in January. Anyone interested in attending American Legion Post 176 meetings can contact Ms Randle for more information by e-mailing her at