Barton Gilman is proud to sponsor the Third Annual Essay/Picture Competition in connection with The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) 2021 Annual Conference (October 21-22, 2021 at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania). The PCPCS conference is focused on educating, inspiring, and connecting the charter movement in Pennsylvania.

In connection with Barton Gilman’s sponsorship of the PCPCS 2021 Annual Conference, we invite all Charter School students to participate in this contest (details below) for a chance to attend the conference and introduce the keynote speaker, Mashea Alton, and to win a Visa gift card!

Students in grades 5th Grade through 12th Grade

  • Write an essay explaining “My charter school has given me hope for my future. Here’s why.”
  • Email the final essay to essaycontest@pacharters.org include in the email:
    • Name
    • Age
    • School
    • Grade
    • Final essay submission
    • Contact information of your parent or guardian
    • Release signed by your parents or guardian (see “Additional Rules” section below for further information).
  • Essay must not exceed 500 words
  • Essay may be reproduced as part of the PCPCS conference materials
  • If selected, a representative of your charter school and the selected student will be expected to attend the PCPCS Conference in Harrisburg, PA, and may attend with a parent or guardian. If a parent or guardian is not attending, a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian will be required. The selected student is welcome to attend the entire annual conference (October 21-22 at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg), but will be expected to be present on October 21th at 11:30-1:00 to introduce keynote speaker, Mashea Alton. (See details below regarding financial compensation.)

Students in grades Kindergarten through 4th  Grade

  • Create a picture illustrating “My charter school has given me hope for my future. Here’s why.”
  • Email a copy of the final picture to essaycontest@pacharters.org; include in the email:
    • Name
    • Age
    • School
    • Grade
    • Copy of the picture submission as an attachment
    • Contact information of your parent or guardian
    • Release signed up your parents or guardian (see “Additional Rules” section below for further information).
  • Retain the final picture; if you are chosen you will be asked to provide the picture for reproduction as part of the PCPCS conference materials
  • If selected, a representative of your charter school and the selected student are welcome to attend the PCPCS Conference in Harrisburg, PA, and may attend with a parent or guardian. If a parent or guardian is not attending, a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian will be required. You are welcome to attend the 2021 annual conference (October 21-22 at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg), but would be especially welcome to attend the keynote address on October 21st at 11:30-1:00 and help introduce the keynote speaker, Mashea Alton, together with the winner of the essay contest (students in grades 5th Grade through 12th Grade).

Additional Rules (Applicable to both Essay and Picture Contests)

  • All submissions must be received no later than 5:00 pm EST on September 24, 2021. Competition winners be notified by October 1, 2021.
  • All submissions must be made to essaycontest@pacharters.org.
  • Only one submission per student will be accepted.
  • Each submission must be accompanied by a “Release and Parental/Guardian permission for Use of Student Image, Voice, Video, Work, Art, Writing, Photography, and/or First Name for Promotional, News Media, Communications, and Educational Purposes” signed by the student’s parent or guardian.
  • Each submission will be judged by a panel of impartial judges
  • If you have any questions regarding the conference rules or eligibility, please submit questions to Brandie Karpew at b.karpew@pacharters.org.

Financial Compensation:

  • The winner of the essay portion of the contest will be awarded a $250 Visa gift card. The winner of the picture portion of the contest will be awarded a $100 Visa gift card. Any and all prize-related expenses including travel expenses shall be the sole responsibility of winners.
  • Attention Charter School Administrators: If a student from your Charter School wins this contest, Barton Gilman and PCPCS will sponsor the admission fee for the PCPCS 2021 Annual Conference for one person of your choosing.

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Barton Gilman is a law firm dedicated to protecting our clients and committed to delivering efficient and effective solutions to each legal problem we confront.

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