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Armed Services YMCA presents annual art, essay contest

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.
  • 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio --  The Armed Services YMCA is presenting its annual art and essay contest. It allows children to express their emotions for their military heroes and reminds us of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform and their families make each day for our country.
 
Nancy Rubino, 910th Services Manager here, wanted to help spread the word about this national contest to the communities and schools surrounding the air station.

"This is a great opportunity for children of Servicemembers here in the Mahoning Valley to participate in this national contest," said Ms. Rubino. "We hope that parents and teachers will go to the website and click the link to download the contest package and work with their kids to help them get involved."

The ASYMCA contest webpage is at http://www.asymca.org/programs/art-and-essay-contest/.

According to ASYMCA, hundreds of applicants participated in the 2012-2013 contest.

The annual Armed Services YMCA Art and Essay Contest is officially launched every November and is open to all eligible children of U.S. active duty, reserve component or retired Servicemembers.

Winners of both the art and essay contests have their winning entries displayed at 33 Armed Services YMCA Branches and affiliate locations, as well as military bases worldwide during Military Family Month each November. Winners also receive electronic devices as special prizes to help youth create and express themselves.

"Our annual art and essay contest allows children to express their love, appreciation and admiration for their military heroes," said (Retired) U.S. Navy Capt. Mike Landers and CEO of ASYMCA. "Their essays and artwork also serve to remind us of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform, and their families, make each day for our country."

Entries for the art contest depict the theme, "My Military Family." The art contest promotes art among children in grades K-6 of active duty or retired (with 20+ years of service) members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard/Reserve families.