Youth participating in the 12th annual Conejo Valley Relay for Life on Aug. 29 to 30 at the Conejo Creek South Playfields in Thousand Oaks may enter the art and essay contest.

The contest will have three age categories: 5 to 9, 10 to 14 and 15 to 18.

Art work should reflect the 2009 theme: “Together We Can Make Magic! Help Make Cancer Disappear.”

Participants may use paint, pastels, oil, pencil, pen or crayons with dimensions of 8½ by 11 inches and adhered to matting, not framed.

Each piece needs to be the work of one person, with the artist name, age, phone number and school legible written on the back in pencil.

Essays should discuss the topic: “What do hope and the Relay for Life mean to you?”

Entrants can type or write one to two pages, 8 ½ by 11 inches, of their original work, with the artist name, age, phone number and school legible written on the submission.

Art and essays can be submitted at the Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road, from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Wed., Aug. 19.

First prize winners will receive $50 Visa gift cards, with $25 for first runners up and $15 for second runners up.

The winning essay will be read at the event, and the grand prize art will be displayed at the relay and American Cancer Society office.

For more information about the contest, go to www.cvrfl.org or call Jessica LaRoe of the American Cancer Society at (805) 448-5675.