There were more than 300 entries in the Secretary of State Poster and Essay Contests this year.  The annual contests are designed to excite students about topics related to Maine civic education, including state history and the democratic process.  The contests, which began in 2002, give educators an opportunity to intertwine Maine Civics Learning Results with art and writing composition by engaging students in a statewide competition.  Students explore their individual interests by selecting topics from broad themes.  All posters and essays were judged based on originality, knowledge of subject and dedication to the contest theme.

Maine Symbols Poster (K-3):  Madisen McNellis, grade 3, Fort O’Brien School Machiasport.

Maine History Poster (4/5):  Lowell Griffiths, grade 4, Ashwood Waldorf School, Rockport.

Maine Constitution Essay:  Tilly Ewing, grade 7, North Yarmouth Academy,

Voting and Democracy Essay:  Elsie Mann, grade 9, North Haven Community School, North Haven.

“This year especially, seeing all of the poster entries and reading through the essays was such a refreshing and joyful opportunity,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.  “These students showed not only an interest in and passion for Maine but also such a positive and inspirational view of our state, including its past and its future.  We thank the legislators from both sides of the aisle who judged the contests, the educators who made the opportunity available to their students and most of all, the students of Maine who give us hope for the future.”