INDIANA – The Indiana Center for the Book is hosting an essay competition to commemorate Indiana’s 207th Statehood Day. This year’s theme is “Playing IN Indiana.” The Statehood Day Essay Contest takes place annually in the fall and is open to all Indiana fourth graders.
Essays should be well organized and reflective of the theme “Playing IN Indiana.” Judges will accept a wide interpretation of the theme. Thematic ideas include Indiana sports, recreation in Indiana’s parks, playing music, visiting amusement parks and more.
Winners of the essay contest will be honored on Friday, Dec. 8 or on Monday, Dec. 11 at an in-person ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse. The winners will be expected to record their essays as well.
This year, each winner – first place through fourth place – will receive a CollegeChoice 529 deposit of $529 made possible by the Indiana Education Savings Authority.
The essay contest rules are as follows:
– The competition is open to any Indiana fourth-grade public, private, or homeschooled student in the 2023-24 school year.
– A panel of judges, including Indiana State Library staff and volunteer educators, will choose the first, second, third, and fourth-place winners.
– Essays must range from 100 to 300 words; handwritten or typed and must be submitted with an entry form.
– Individual entries should use the 2023 individual entry form and class sets should use the 2023 group entry form. The following information should be included in each essay for class sets: student name, teacher name, and school name.
– All entries may be mailed or emailed and must be received by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
– Mailed entry forms can be sent to: Indiana Center for the Book Indiana State Library 140 N. Senate Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46204.
– Emailed entry forms can be sent to this email address as an attachment.
Click here for more information about the 2023 Statehood Day essay contest, including lesson plans for teachers, and to view the 2021 winning essays.
Please contact Suzanne Walker, Indiana Center for the Book director, with any questions.
Information: Indiana State Library.
