Whitley County 4th graders invited to participate in Indiana's 194th birthday celebration
Whitley County fourth-graders along with their principals, teachers and parents are invited to a special birthday party at the Statehouse - one in which the honored 194-year-old guest will receive essays instead of cards.
The annual essay contest is among many interesting activities planned to celebrate "Statehood Day." This year, the celebration is scheduled on Friday, December 10 - a day before the state's actual birthday. Indiana officially became this nation's 19th state on December 11, 1816.
Statehouse events will begin at 9 a.m. and include interactive activities presented by the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, legislature, Indiana Supreme Court, state museum, state library, historical bureau, history center and other state agencies. Students will also have an opportunity to visit many executive, legislative and judicial offices.
This would be a great day to schedule a visit to our historic Statehouse. Interactive displays, special music and a chance to see Indiana's original state constitution will be part of the fun. This event will bring Indiana history to life for these students as they study our state's government and heritage.
Schools interested in bringing groups to this special day of activities may send an e-mail to Jennifer Hodge, State Capitol Tour Office coordinator, at jhodge@idoa.in.gov or call the office at 317-233-5293. School officials are encouraged to make plans soon, because space may be limited.
This essay competition is open to any Indiana fourth-grade public, private or home-schooled student and is easy to enter:
- Essays need to range from 100 to 400 words;
- They can be handwritten or typed;
- Entries must include the student's name, teacher's or parent's name, school's name and contact information, including address and telephone number;
- Essays should convey what living in the state of Indiana means to the student and highlight things that make the student glad to be a Hoosier; and
- Essays must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 25.
Judges will choose first-, second- and third-place winners, who will be notified on or about November 24. The first-place winner will be invited to read his or her essay at the December 10 ceremony.
"Statehood Day is a wonderful opportunity for Indiana's fourth-grade students to celebrate their Hoosier heritage," said Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett. "The essay contest gives students a chance to showcase their state knowledge and their writing abilities. I encourage students to participate and look forward to meeting the winners."
Essays should be sent to:
Jennifer Hodge, Coordinator, State Capitol Tour Office
200 W. Washington St., Room 220
Indiana Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204
For more information on the contest, call 317-233-9830.
Additional hands-on Statehood Day activities will be available at the Indiana State Museum. Call Joanna Hahn at 317-232-8293 for information.
The annual essay contest is among many interesting activities planned to celebrate "Statehood Day." This year, the celebration is scheduled on Friday, December 10 - a day before the state's actual birthday. Indiana officially became this nation's 19th state on December 11, 1816.
Statehouse events will begin at 9 a.m. and include interactive activities presented by the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, legislature, Indiana Supreme Court, state museum, state library, historical bureau, history center and other state agencies. Students will also have an opportunity to visit many executive, legislative and judicial offices.
This would be a great day to schedule a visit to our historic Statehouse. Interactive displays, special music and a chance to see Indiana's original state constitution will be part of the fun. This event will bring Indiana history to life for these students as they study our state's government and heritage.
Schools interested in bringing groups to this special day of activities may send an e-mail to Jennifer Hodge, State Capitol Tour Office coordinator, at jhodge@idoa.in.gov or call the office at 317-233-5293. School officials are encouraged to make plans soon, because space may be limited.
Indiana's Birthday Celebration
At noon on Friday, December 10, the celebration will move to the main floor of the Statehouse for a program featuring words of welcome from government officials, special music, displays of original copies of Indiana's 1816 and 1851 state constitutions in the Rotunda and the reading of a winning essay entitled "What Indiana Means to Me."This essay competition is open to any Indiana fourth-grade public, private or home-schooled student and is easy to enter:
- Essays need to range from 100 to 400 words;
- They can be handwritten or typed;
- Entries must include the student's name, teacher's or parent's name, school's name and contact information, including address and telephone number;
- Essays should convey what living in the state of Indiana means to the student and highlight things that make the student glad to be a Hoosier; and
- Essays must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 25.
Judges will choose first-, second- and third-place winners, who will be notified on or about November 24. The first-place winner will be invited to read his or her essay at the December 10 ceremony.
"Statehood Day is a wonderful opportunity for Indiana's fourth-grade students to celebrate their Hoosier heritage," said Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett. "The essay contest gives students a chance to showcase their state knowledge and their writing abilities. I encourage students to participate and look forward to meeting the winners."
Essays should be sent to:
Jennifer Hodge, Coordinator, State Capitol Tour Office
200 W. Washington St., Room 220
Indiana Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204
For more information on the contest, call 317-233-9830.
Additional hands-on Statehood Day activities will be available at the Indiana State Museum. Call Joanna Hahn at 317-232-8293 for information.