Veterans Day 2015
12th Annual National Poster & Poem Contests
Sponsored by Paralyzed Veterans of America
Contest Guidelines
I.
Contest Label Form and Publicity Release Form
All entries must be accompanied by both a fully completed “Contest Label Form,” which must be taped or
clipped to the back of each poster and poem entry (please do not staple), as well as a fully completed
“Publicity Release Form.”
II.
Contest Theme
The theme for the Poster and Poem Contest is Show or Tell How You Would Thank a Veteran This
Holiday Season. Each Poem Contest student, using his or her own words and creativity, will tell a personal
story about what they believe they would thank a veteran this holiday season. Poster contest entrants will show
a scene depicting the same theme. Entrants should not depict a historical review of Veterans Day but focus
more on how they would express their thanks to a veteran.
III.
Contest Deadline
All poster and poem entries must be received and/or postmarked by October 1, 2015. The Grand Prize
winners will be notified by October 23, 2015. Entries not meeting deadlines will be disqualified.
IV.
Contest Grade Categories
This year’s contests will be evaluated in the following grade-related categories.
1st–2nd Grade - Poster
3rd–4th Grade - Poster
5th–6th Grade - Poem
7th–8th Grade - Poem
V.
Poster and Poem Specifications
A.
Poster (1st– 4th Grades)
Poster entries should not exceed 11" by 17" in size and must be submitted on paper/stock without
any staples.
B.
Poem (5th–8th Grades)
Poem entries can be typed or handwritten neatly on white 8½" X 11" lined paper must be in English,
and the suggested word count is 75 words or less.
All posters and poems must be the work of only one (1) child, consisting of the child’s own words, thoughts,
and creativity.
Note: Upon submission, all posters and poems will become the property of Paralyzed Veterans of America,
which reserves the right to reproduce submissions, and will not be returned.
V.
Eligibility
The contest is open to students in Grades 1–8 who are enrolled in public and private schools and homeschooled students living in the United States.
2015
VI.
Judging
National finalists will be judged by a panel of individuals representing Paralyzed Veterans of America:
paralyzed veterans, stakeholders who have a strong interest in our nation’s veterans, and educators and leaders
in Washington, DC. Each poster and poem will be judged on the following criteria: expression of the theme
(50%); content of artwork style and/or writing (25%), creativity of artwork and/or writing (25%). The decision
of the adjudication panel is final.
VII.
VIII.
Awards
A.
All Entrants
All entrants will be recognized for their participation by Paralyzed Veterans of America. Please
provide your contact information including an email address.
B.
Finalists
A group of 10 student finalists from each of the four grade categories will be awarded a certificate of
merit and a special commemorative T-shirt.
C.
Grade Category Winners
The winning student from each grade category will be presented with a special plaque and a $100
educational gift certificate. The student’s school will also receive a plaque recognizing the student’s
honor.
D.
Grand Prize
One student from the poster contest and one student from the poem contest will be presented with an
award plaque and all-expense paid trip for the student along with a parent or guardian to Washington,
DC, for Veterans Day 2015. The two students will be the special guests of Paralyzed Veterans of
America at the national ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and will be recognized by
Paralyzed Veterans of America during its Veterans Day events.
Poster and Poem Visibility
Selected posters and poems will be prominently displayed and will receive national visibility. This may
include:




Paralyzed Veterans of America National Office
Paralyzed Veterans of America Chapter Offices
Paralyzed Veterans of America website: www.pva.org
PN magazine
Paralyzed Veterans of America will also distribute news releases to both the national and local media
announcing the results of the contest in November.
Note: Paralyzed Veterans of America assumes no responsibility for poster and poem submissions. Winning entrants agree that
Paralyzed Veterans of America has the right to use, without further permission and/or compensation, their drawings and/or poems
for promotion of Veterans Day, or any other related use. The submissions will not be returned. Previous Grand Prize Winners and
Category winners are not eligible for prizes.
2015