THE PURPOSE OF THE HERSHEY STORY CONTEST
The Hershey Story offers this writing contest as a way to encourage students to communicate their interest in and knowledge of history in a creative and coherent manner. Awards are presented in support and acknowledgement of students' efforts and for public recognition of their success.

THE HERSHEY STORY—BACKGROUND
The Hershey Story, formerly the Hershey Museum, is a non-profit educational institution founded in 1933 by Milton S. Hershey who believed in providing educational and cultural opportunities for the people of Hershey and the Central Pennsylvania region. In keeping with Mr. Hershey's philosophy, the museum is dedicated to helping people of all ages understand and enjoy many aspects of history.

ENTRY INFORMATION

Categories
The contestant may submit an entry in one of the following categories:

Non-fiction: An essay about an historical event, era, or person(s). An explanation of the student’s personal interest in the topic chosen should be included. Specific examples of experiences which have influenced the student’s interest, such as books, classroom activities, travel, and personal interactions should be used.

Fiction: A piece of creative writing, such as a fictional diary entry or story, about an historical event, era, or person(s).

Poetry: A poem about a historical event, era, or person(s).

Each entry must be the original work of the contest entrant, but may also have been submitted as an assigned school project as long as it fulfills the requirements below.

Eligibility
Any student enrolled in public, private or home school, grades 5 through 8, in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry or York County is eligible to submit one entry to the contest.

Requirements for all Entries
Each entry must comply with all of the following requirements or risk disqualification:

Cover Page
The cover page should include the following: Title of Entry, Category (Non-fiction, Fiction or Poetry), Name of Contestant, Age, Grade, School, Name of Teacher, Name of Principal, School District, School Address, Teacher E-Mail Address, Home Address, Home Phone. There should be no other cover or binder. Cover page and composition pages should be stapled together in the top left hand corner.

Composition
Pages should be numbered consecutively, with the title of the entry at the top of each page. The entrant's name should appear only on the cover page. Entries should be printed in Times or Times Roman font on plain, white 8.5 by 11 inch paper with a one-inch margin on all sides, with no illustrations. Poems may be single-spaced; all other entries should be double spaced. Type size should be no more than 12 characters per inch or no less than 10-point type.

Length
Prose must be at least 400 but no more than 1000 words. Poems must be at least 35 but no more than 100 lines.

Bibliography
A bibliography must be attached to each entry (including poetry). The bibliography should not be included in the word count. At least two of the following types of sources must be cited: book, magazine/journal, interview, Internet. Not all sources should be from the Internet.

The bibliography should be in MLA format. For guidance, you may consult a website such as www.easybib.com.

Deadline and Entry Process
Entries must be submitted by February 15, 2011. Check back for entry procedure and address.

JUDGING

Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Historical accuracy
• Evidence of an understanding of the historical context surrounding the event, era or person(s) discussed in the entry
• Clarity and coherence
• Creativity and imagination in the choice of subject and presentation
• Grammar, spelling, and compositional structure

Judging Committee
The judges are historians, educators and other community leaders who are not employed by The Hershey Story. The decisions of the judges are final.

AWARDS
Six first place awards will be given: Grades 5/6 Non-Fiction; Grades 5/6 Fiction; Grades 7/8 Non-Fiction; Grades 7/8 Fiction; Grades 5/6 Poetry; Grades 7/8 Poetry.

Each winning student will receive a plaque, a $200 savings bond and a family membership to The Hershey Story. Additionally, winning students will receive Hershey’s chocolate to share with their class. The Hershey Story will notify the winning students and their schools by April 4, 2011.

PUBLICATION
Entrance in this contest grants permission to The Hershey Story for future publication of winning entries and/or winners names and photographs for award publicity purposes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Call Lois Miklas, Public Programs Specialist, at 717-520-5587 or lmiklas@hersheystory.org. Go to HersheyStory.org to view this contest guide, tips, and the winning entries from the 2009/2010 Contest.