SCHOOL CONTESTS

Northwest Arkansas — ORATORICAL CONTEST

The Pea Ridge Optimist Club is encouraging area students to speak their minds about the topic of “Cyber Communication: Progress or Problem?” as part of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for 2010.

The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top winners.Winners will receive U.S. savings bonds at the following levels: first place, $500; second place, $350; and third place, $100.The winning speeches will be sent to the zone level, and possibly district level for the opportunity to college scholarships.

Students under the age of 16 as of Dec.

31, 2009, and who live within the Pea Ridge School district (public, private and homeschooled) are eligible to participate.

The deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

Students wishing to participate in the oratorical contest can find out more about the contest by contacting Denise Pollock at 426-3415.

YOUTH POSTER CONTEST

As communities around the state begin planning their 2010 Great American Cleanup in Arkansas events, the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission (KAB) invites students in grades K-5 to submit art entries in the Youth Poster Contest.

The Great American Cleanup in Arkansas is the annual spring cleanup event when communities focus on local beautification efforts, flower- and tree-plantings, park improvements, trail-building, Main Street rehabilitations, litter pickups and other activities in advance of the tourism/vacation and festival season.

Schools across the state are encouraged to involve all students in grades K-5 in this educational art contest. Home-schooled students, 4-H clubs, Scouts and other youth organizations are also invited to submit entries in the competition.

Posters entered in the contest should depict an Arkansas that is clean and green with flowers and trees planted, parks and public areas cleaned up, trails built, downtowns improved and litter picked up.The artwork should be two-dimensional and can be in any media (pen and ink, watercolor, crayon, marker, pencil, etc.).

Entries must be on standard 8-inch by 11-inch paper.

Prizes for the contest will be awarded in two divisions: Grades K-2 and 3-5.Teachers are asked to select one poster per class to be submitted for statewide judging.

Winners will be recognized in their local communities by KAB and Great American Cleanup in Arkansas representatives.

Posters must be received no later than Feb. 8, and should be mailed or delivered to Sarah Wruck, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, One Capitol Mall, Suite 4A-109, Little Rock, AR, 72201.

For more information about the contest, visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com or call Sarah Wruck at 888-742-8701.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER ART AND ESSAY CONTEST

DIAMOND, Mo. - George Washington Carver National Monument announces the 20th annual George Washington Carver Art and Essay Contest.

This program is open to all fourth grade students in public school, private school and home school. Students are invited to enter creative artwork and essays relating to this year’s theme,“If George Washington Carver were my teacher.”

Teachers, this is a great way for students to celebrate Black History Month and practice their creativity at the same time. Contest information is available on the park website: www.nps.gov/ gwca.You may also call the park and request that materials be mailed to you.

Entries must be received no later than Feb. 12. Mail or bring entries to: George Washington Carver National Monument c/o Diane Eilenstein 5646 Carver Road Diamond, MO 64840.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, in the visitor center. Certificates, ribbons, trophies and U.S. Savings Bonds will be awarded. The public is invited to join park staff in honoring the participating students.