Feb. 27, 2009

The Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee, in partnership with the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), is pleased to announce "Essays About Lincoln," a statewide writing contest celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. Entry deadline is April 4, 2009, and full details are available at www.milincoln.org.

According to Dr. William Anderson, chair of Michigan's Lincoln committee and retired director of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (in which the committee is housed), Lincoln's was a life well worth remembering, studying and emulating.

"Since presidential scholars first began ranking our presidents some 60 years ago, Abraham Lincoln has consistently been rated among the top three," said Dr. Anderson. "I think the time is right for Michigan's young people to take a closer look at Lincoln's legacy and consider how his life lessons and principles still serve as a guiding force."

The essay themes are broken out into two categories:

Grades 5-6: Lincoln's Leadership – Then and Now (What President Lincoln's Life and Leadership Mean to Me)

Grades 7-8 and 9-12: Lincoln's Leadership – Then and Now (How President Lincoln's Life and Leadership Inspire Me Today)

"Too often, we forget that history is not just about places and dates in our past; it's about the people whose thoughts and deeds made those places and dates worth remembering," explained Bruce B. Butgereit, commander, Commandery of the State of Michigan, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

"President Lincoln's life was filled with immense challenges and yet he never gave up trying to better himself. His legacy stands as a symbol of what can be achieved through commitment, compassion and honesty," said Butgereit. "Many students in our schools today face similar obstacles in their lives. It is hoped that by giving students an opportunity to study and write an essay about Lincoln, they will better understand who they are and how Lincoln's example can serve as an inspiration to them."

Butgereit noted that the essay contest is designed to support Michigan English Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum standards, including those for language, literature, voice, depth of understanding, ideas in action, inquiry and research, critical standards, and historical perspective.

Awards will be given for a first-, second- and third-place winning essay from each of the three grade competition levels (grades 5-6, grades 7-8 and grades 9-12). All winners will receive a certificate of achievement that includes Governor Jennifer Granholm's signature, a "portrait" of Abraham Lincoln in the form of a new $5 bill, and a figurine or framed print of Abraham Lincoln. Winning essays may also be published or displayed in various locations, publications and Web sites. For full contest rules, mailing guidelines, and downloadable entry coupon and release form, visit www.milincoln.org. For more information, contact the Michigan Commandery at (616) 827-3369 or patriotblue1@yahoo.com.

All entries must be postmarked by April 4, 2009 and mailed to:

Lincoln Bicentennial Essays
MOLLUS Michigan Commandery
P.O. Box 888281
Grand Rapids, MI 49588

The mission of the Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee is to provide leadership and direction for Michigan's celebration of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. It will do so by helping people appreciate how Lincoln's life relates to the lives of countless Michiganians today, serving as a clearinghouse for information about celebration activities, promoting partnerships that provide programming, and demonstrating how Michigan is forever linked to the life of Abraham Lincoln. Learn more at www.milincoln.org.

The Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) was founded on April 15, 1865, the day Abraham Lincoln died. Its mission is to perpetuate the memory of Abraham Lincoln and his ideals. The Michigan Commandery is active throughout the state of Michigan, engaging in patriotic and educational programs and in the preservation and restoration of Civil War monuments and memorials. Learn more at suvcw.org/mollus/mi/mollus.html.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).