Entries sought for abstinence essay contest
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 8, 2007 2:00 AM
Area high school students are again being invited to weigh in on the benefits of abstinence in preventing teen pregnancy.
The fifth annual abstinence essay contest, sponsored by Wayne County Health Department and the Wayne Council on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, is targeted to students in grades 9 through 12. They can be in public, private and home school situations.
As the program has grown, so have the incentives. Two years ago, Board of Health member Donna Edmundson recommended a scholarship fund be developed as a way to reward winning essayists. The Board of Health responded by chipping in their stipend for the cause.
Area businesses and organizations have likewise supported the effort. Prizes now feature a $1,000 scholarship and $200 gift certificate to Berkeley Mall for first place; a $500 scholarship and $100 gift certificate for second place; and a $300 scholarship and $50 gift certificate for third place.
The topic for the essay is "Why abstinence is the best choice for teens in the prevention of teenage pregnancy."
Carolyn King, health education supervisor, said individual schools should have already received entry forms for the contest. They are also available online at www.wayneteens.com or by calling the Health Education Division at 731-1291 or 731-1290. The forms contain all guidelines for the contest.
Deadline for submissions is by 5 p.m. on April 13.
Essays are to be mailed to the attention of Abstinence Essay Contest, Wayne County Health Department, Health Education Division, 301 N. Herman St., Box CC, Goldsboro, N.C. 27530.