Young people can participate in Elks essay contest

Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge No. 2477 Americanism Committee will be judging entries for the 2006 essay contest for students in Conejo Valley.

Sponsored by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U.S.A., the contest is open to all students in public, private or home school in grades five through eight.

This year’s theme is “What I Feel When I Look Up at the American Flag.” Contest flyers have been posted in the Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks libraries and the Thousand Oaks Teen Center.

Entry deadline is Jan. 10.

The winners will receive a plaque and a U.S. Savings Bond. Local winning entries will be sent to the national essay contest at the Elks Grand Lodge Session in Orlando, Fla. on July 9, 2006.

Essay length must not exceed 250 words and must be typed or legibly printed in ink, doublespaced, on letter-size paper with 1-inch margins. For more information and contest rules, please call Raven West at (805) 493-0269. All entries must be sent by mail to Raven West, Americanism Chair, 44 Summerfield St., Thousand Oaks CA 91360.