How do you define the word “hero”? The National World War II Museum wants to know and is sponsoring an essay contest to find out.

“I like taking part in this contest,” junior Briana Barreiros said. “It really helps us not only remember the people of World War II, but it also helps us remember the loss that comes with war.”

The museum’s judges will select one winning essay from each grade. First place will receive $1,000, second place $750 and third place $500. In addition, three honorable mentions from each grade will receive a museum baseball cap. The winning essays will be posted on The National WWII Museum’s website, along with honorable mentions.

“I think it’s important that people take part in the contest,” junior Will Carpenter said. “I do plan on joining the Navy, so supporting the armed forces is important to me”.

Winning essays will be posted on The National WWII Museum’s website, along with the names of the honorable mentions.

The contest is open to all high school students in the United States, United States Territories, and military bases. Essays  must be 1,000 words or less and only one essay per student may be submitted. Submissions must be submitted via the website by March 31 at 4 p.m.  The museum will accept only the first 500 properly formatted entries only.

For more information, visit

http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/essay-contests/high-school.html

for middle schools requirements, visit

http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/essay-contests/middle-school.html

by Justin Loomis