The 2011 Presidents Day Drawing and Essay Contests, sponsored by the Lehighton Area Republican Club, is open to open to all elementary-level school children, public, charter, parochial, private and home-schooled, who reside within the limits of Lehighton Area School District. Each contestant shall submit one original artistic drawing, in color or black and white, not larger than 18 by 24 inch dimensions, depicting one of the following subjects: The Founding Fathers and the Constitution, King George of England and General George Washington; or the flags of the United States of America and any or all of the fifty states. The essay contest is open to all middle and senior high school level youth who reside within the limits of the Lehighton Area School District. Each contestant shall submit one original (unplagiarized and unassisted) essay, of 500 words or less, on one of the following subjects: Why the American people thought it necessary to break from English rule, and establish their own, new state and federal governments; or How the new form of government they created was better than or different from older forms of government; or Why the Founding Fathers designed "checks and balances" between branches and levels of government such as between the states and federal government. All entries must be labeled with the full name, grade level, and school address of the contestant, and signed by the contestant. All entries for each contest will be judged by a panel of teachers and members of the sponsoring organization.

The winner of the drawing contest will be awarded a $100 Bond and the winner of the essay contest will be awarded a $150 bond. Entries may be submitted to a teacher or other personnel at each school where they will be held until they are collected, after 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, by assigned members of the sponsoring organization. Any other entries, that have not been picked up at a school on that date, must be received, by mail or hand delivery or other pickup arrangement, no later than 3 p.m. on Presidents Day, Feb. 21, by the Lehighton Area Republican Club, 198 S. First St., Lehighton.For more information, call (570) 656-1721 (in daylight hours) or 570-280-5358 (evenings) or send email to: celticdusk.

g@gmail.com.