Bridging the Generations: An Elder I Know
The 6th Annual Essay Contest
conducted by Portland State University’s Institute on Aging
and the Oregon Gerontological Association
Essay Contest Guidelines
We invite 4th and 5th grade teachers to participate by engaging students in a class project in which each
student submits an essay (500 words or less) about a grandparent or other older adult (60 years of age
or older) who has been an inspiration and who has made a difference in the life of the student. Essays
should reflect the ways in which the grandparent or older adult has made an impact on them and
how/why the student values the relationship. A reading committee made up of volunteers from OASIS
will select the final winning essays.
1. Essays will be judged on:
a. Clarity of ideas
b. Originality
c. Creativity
d. Content related to positive and meaningful relationships
2. The subject of the essay must be someone that is known by the student and the subject must be at
least 60 years of age.
3. Submissions must be essays composed exclusively for this competition.
4. Essay contest winners will include first, second, and third place.
5. All essays should display both originality and effective writing.
6. The length of the submission must not exceed 500 words.
7. All entries must include a title page with title, full name of the student, teacher name and contact
information (see below for template). All essays must be typed and double-spaced using 12 point
font.
8. Essays should be submitted in pdf form via email by March 28, 2012. Please submit to:
Crystal Root, rootc@pdx.edu
Institute on Aging, Portland State University
For information, contact Crystal Root, 503 725-3952 or Diana White (503) 725-2725
9. A ceremony to celebrate participating teachers and students, award winners and their honorees will
be held on Saturday, April 28, from 10:30 am—12:00 noon. The location will be announced at a
later date. The older person who is the subject of the essay, and families and friends will be invited to
attend.
Sample Title Page
Essay Title
Student’s Name
Teacher’s Name
School
Date
Teacher’s E-MAIL address:
Full mailing address of school:
School phone number:
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