Students urged to submit Oregon Blue Book essay contest entries

The deadline for this year’s Oregon Blue Book student essay contest is fast approaching, and Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins would like to remind elementary-, middle- and high-school students to submit their entries.

The selected essays will be published in the 2017-2018 Oregon Blue Book.

“With the new school year starting after the summer break, now is a great time for students to reflect on their outdoor adventures and to become a part of the state’s historical record,” Atkins said.

The 2017-2018 Blue Book’s theme is outdoor recreation. A color exhibit in the book will feature the Pacific Crest Trail through the Oregon Cascades.

“Outdoor recreation is a key piece of many Oregonians’ childhoods,” Atkins said. “We are excited to share some of our students’ experiences and thoughts on this iconic part of life in Oregon.”

The winning authors will be invited to the Oregon State Capitol for the Blue Book release celebration in early 2017. The deadline to enter is Oct. 12, 2016.

This year’s prompts are:

Elementary school (75-150 words): What is your favorite thing to do in Oregon’s great outdoors? Describe a fun memory of spending time outdoors in Oregon. Middle school (100-200 words): Oregon is a great place to play outdoors. You can camp, raft, ski, hike, boat, surf, or just take a walk. If you had a friend coming to visit you in Oregon who has never been here before, where would you take them for a fun outdoor activity and what would you do? High school (150-250 words): What recommendations do you have for Oregon’s leaders about how to improve people’s access to outdoor recreation? Why is outdoor recreation an important part of Oregon’s identity?

Student entries should be mailed to State Archivist Mary Beth Herkert, Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR 97310.