Historic Preservation stages 4th grade student essay contest

The South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office is accepting applications for their annual Fourth Grade Student Essay Contest. 

This contest is a component of their annual South Dakota Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month, which is celebrated  in May. The month was created to acquaint the public with the disciplines of archaeology and historic preservation. 

This competition proposes to enable students to achieve a better appreciation of the state’s history and historic resources, the stories they tell, and why they should be preserved for future generations. With the theme of “This Place Matters,” students are asked to write an essay about any South Dakota location that is at least 50 years old, why it is a favorite place for them, and why it should be preserved. The place they choose does not need to be a historic site, and students do not need to write a full history of the location. The contest is open to any fourth grade student in South Dakota. 

Entries will be judged on quality of writing, content and theme, and originality of thought. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place. 

Entries must be postmarked no later than March 17, and winners will be notified on or before April 14. 

For the full guidelines and entry form, visit history.sd.gov/preservation/archhpmonth.aspx.