Community Corner

Hey, High Schoolers: This Contest is For You!

VolunteerSquare and Patch are teaming up to celebrate volunteerism among our youth — with some cool prizes at stake, too.

"What does community service mean to you?"

That's the question at the heart of an upcoming essay contest for high school students, sponsored by VolunteerSquare and Patch.

The contest kicks off on May 5, but we're so excited that we had to share the news now. Plus, we want to give high schoolers some time to get the creative juices flowing so they can craft the best possible essay.

This is the second year VolunteerSquare and Patch have partnered on the essay contest, to celebrate community service among our youth. Last year's contest drew about 70 submissions from high schoolers in public and private schools in a dozen Fairfield County towns.

This year, we're excited to expand the contest to even more towns — 18 in total. Of course, we still have awesome prizes for the winners, to give students a little added incentive. They are:

  • 1st Place: Kindle Fire & $700 cash

  • 2nd Place: Chrome Laptop & $450 cash

Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • 3rd Place: $300 cash

  •  
    The contest is open to students currently attending a public or private school within the following towns:
    • Bridgeport
    • Darien
    • Easton
    • Fairfield
    • Greenwich
    • Milford
    • Monroe
    • Newtown
    • New Canaan
    • Norwalk
    • Redding
    • Ridgefield
    • Stamford
    • Stratford
    • Trumbull
    • Westport
    • Weston
    • Wilton

    The essays should tackle that question — What does community service mean to you? — in 500 words or less.

    Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

    Essays will only be accepted via email, at essays@volunteersquare.com, from May 5 through May 7.

    Here’s how we’ll decide the winners: 

    • The VolunteerSquare Advisory Board will review all the essays and select a Top 10. 
    • Then, on May 13, Patch will put the Top 10 front and center and the community will get the chance to vote for their favorites through May 18.
    • The three essays with the most votes will be declared the winners. 
    • You can read the complete contest rules here.

    Good luck to all the high schoolers out there and happy writing!


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