EditRegion6
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Questions and Answers
“Empowering youth through scholastic achievement and development of fine character”
We are pleased that you may be a participant in the USA Patriot’s Pen Essay Event. Your experience will be remarkable, creating memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.
USA Patriot’s Pen Writing and Essay Competition is an affiliate of the America’s Liberty Belle Association, LLC. Complete details, including: entry forms, rules, and requirements; questions and answers; awards and prizes; writing and winning tips; Winner Recognition Event Gala; and fees can be found on our official websites:
www.LibertyBelleAssociation.com
How strict are the entry rules?Following instructions exactly is essential and helps eliminate confusion. Essay submissions not following entry rules are not considered and are ineligible.
What is the entry deadline date?
Entry Form must post marked no later than the deadline date on the USA Patriot’s Pen Event Calendar posted on the website. Late entries will not be considered. Mark calendars today!
What should be included with the essay?
Essays must be accompanied by the Official Entry Form, Release Agreement, and the $10.00 Entry Processing Fee. Multiple entries are accepted. Each entry must include a separate entry form and an additional $10.00 entry processing fee for each submission.
Note: Classroom Essay Project Entries are FREE!
Essays submitted by teachers as a class project are free. Each essay must be accompanied by a signed application. All other USA Patriot's Pen rules and regulations and eligibility apply as described.Are there other requirements for submissions?
- Mailing: Essay and forms must be mailed in a 9 x 12 or larger envelope and post marked by the deadline date. Please do not fold essay work. Winners’ essays will be displayed.
- Script: Essays must be student’s original handwritten work by either manuscript or printing the essay in ink or pencil as determined by the age group. Typed or word processed entries essays are not eligible. Applications and any other information may be printed or typed.
- Name: Essays must include student’s name, age, and word count (number of words) neatly printed below the finished work.
- Originality: Essays must be the students own work. Re-writing of an essay by an adult or older student can be easily recognized and will be cause for disqualification from the competition. Student and adult interaction in topic discussion, research, proof reading is strongly recommended and encouraged.
- Permission:Winners and Parent/Guardian must grant permission to USA Patriot’s Pen to use student’s name and entries for promotional and media purposes and other rightful purposes related to the USA Patriot’s Pen Essay and Writing Competition. Winning essays are used for promotions and display. Essays can be picked up after the display is no longer in use. It is recommended that a copy is made of the student’s work.
Who is eligible?
USA Patriot’s Pen is open to any student from First grade through Twelfth grade and Preschool (3 – 4 years old) and Kindergarten who attend public school, private school, or is home-schooled in the greater Cincinnati area. Students must be American citizens.
Are there any eligibility restrictions?
Family members of USA Patriot’s Pen are not eligible to participate.
What is USA Patriot’s Pen privacy policy?
USA Patriot’s Pen does not release or sell application information. We will update you from time to time to introduce you to future activities and events by USA Patriot’s Pen and America’s Liberty Belle, LLC.
How can writing and essay contests help students?
Writers of all ages need and love an audience and are thoroughly gratified by receiving reward for good writing; whether it is a good grade in school, a gift or special award, or a cash prize, rewards are always fun and motivating. What better way to gain an audience, build confidence, and win gratification along with receiving prizes than to enter USA Patriot’s Pen Writing and Essay Contest – a fun and rewarding experience that will create memories that will last a lifetime!
Why should students be encouraged to enter USA Patriot’s Pen competitions?
- Most students are motivated and work better with boundaries and guidelines: including deadlines; developing subject matter or theme, word count; conciseness, accuracy in spelling, grammar, punctuation, penmanship, and proofreading.
- Writing competitions provide students with a focused experience for expressing thought to a real audience of judges who will read and enjoy their writing.
- Students have an opportunity to build self-confidence, self-reliance, and share good sportsmanship, while having fun and gaining great experience at the same time!
- Winning a place in USA Patriot’s Pen Writing and Essay Competition is an excellent mention on a college application or job application.
How are winners notified?
Winners are notified by email. If email is not available, notification is by phone or US mail.
What is word count?
Essays must be written using the word count (number of words) that is specified in the grade level category listed below. Essay title, name, or added footnotes are not counted. The medium requirement for writing the essay is also listed below.
What are the age categories, word count, and ink/pencil requirements?
| • 9th – 12th grades: | 450 – 500 words | ink |
| • 7th – 8th grades: | 400 – 450 words | ink |
| • 5th – 6th grades: | 350 – 400 words | ink or pencil |
| • 3rd – 4th grades: | 100 – 200 words | pencil |
| • 2nd grade: | 100 words or less | pencil |
| • 1st grade: | 50 words or less | pencil |
| • Kindergarten: | Art drawing and one - three sentences | pencil |
| • 3 & 4 Preschool: | Art drawing (one - three sentences optional) | pencil |
Are there special instructions for Preschoolers and Kindergarten students?
Student’s original hand-drawn art work must be colored, painted, or decorated on 8 ½" x 11" paper
and must include child’s name and age preferably written by the student. Preschool or Kindergarten students, who can write, please let them. Misspelled words by students in these age groups are normal and are forgiven. Student/Parent/Guardian’s name, address, phone, and email must be included on the reverse side of the artwork and written essay.
What are the essay topic or theme choices?
Essay theme must be one of the following:
How are essays judged?
Winning essayists are determined by official judges selected by USA Patriot’s Pen executive director and all judges’ decisions are final. Scores are not discussed or released. Essays are judged on the following: age-appropriate writing; theme content; correct English and grammar usage, including word usage and sentence structure, punctuation and mechanics, vocabulary and spelling; creativity and imagination; and clarity, penmanship, and neatness.
How many winners are chosen?
Six winners are chosen from each age division, totaling 48 student winners:
Is there a special event to recognize and celebrate winning essayists?
Save the Date: Please see USA Patriot’s Pen Event Calendar
-
Finalists:
- Frontrunner essayists must be present at the Winners’ Recognition Gala to receive recognition, awards, prizes, and scholarships. No exceptions.
- Frontrunner essayists must participate in Hospitality Sponsorships. No exceptions.
IMPORTANT
Why are winning essayists required to acquire sponsors for the Gala Event?
USA Patriot’s Pen Essay Events are self-funded and its continued success in providing family value events and aid students with scholastic opportunities and enrichment programs depend on outstanding participation by Winning Essayists working hard obtaining support from family, friends, and community with high volume Hospitality points for the event program. Superior hospitality support keeps entry fees low, makes for high quality gifts, and assures that the event is affordable for everyone.
Hospitality Points: One point = $10.00 and 30 points required
Earning points for Hospitality Sponsorships, Program Ads, Most Visitors, and Most Best Wishes, demonstrates support and proves essayists’ sincerity and commitment to participating in Patriot’s Pen Essay competition. Contestant involvement in this manner further aids and improves student exposure, helps gain experience, build self-confidence and self-reliance, while learning great salesmanship skills, at the same time. A valuable learning experience, indeed!
One point =$10.00 and 30 points are required.
Winning Patriot Hospitality Essayists:
What is the Executive Director’s Patriot Choice Scholarship Award?
One essayist will be chosen who has the highest combined number of points for Sponsorships, Program Ads, Best Wishes, and Most Visitors. One point is equal to $10.00 and 30 points are the required minimum to qualify for this award and scholarship.
- Hospitality Points Due Date:Winning essayists receive a Hospitality Packet either by mail or email. The packet will contain information and everything needed to help make each essayist a winning Patriot! Hospitality sales points must be returned timely; and the date due can be found on www.USAPatriotsPen.com. Meeting the deadline date allows proper time to prepared and print the Event Program. Please check the website for important dates.
- Awards: Winners receive a variety of awards depending upon winning placement of the essayist and the amount of hospitality points earned. Awards include certificates of achievement, plaques, winner ribbons, prizes, gifts, scholarships, media recognition, and more!
- Payment of Fees:
- Checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders made to: USA Patriot’s Pen Essay Event.
- Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal
- Cash accepted at your own risk
- (Note: Returned checks cause disqualification)
How are sponsorships obtained?
Obtaining sponsorships from family, friends, and community businesses are surprisingly easy to do. Just ask!. Working to acquire sponsorship support helps build courage and over-coming shyness, enhance speaking skills, and aid confidence in meeting new people.
Is self-sponsorship allowed?
Yes, self-sponsorship is an option. Often friends, family, and grandparents are eager to generously support and find sponsoring essay candidates a true patriotic honor.
Are there other costs associated with the Gala Event?
USA Patriot’s Pen is mindful of costs for extra-curricular activities and strives to keep expenses reasonable. Since we are self-funded it is necessary to charge for certain services, but several choices are optional, which is helpful to students on a strict budget.
| * Reserved Tickets: | $15.00 | each – Reserved Limited Seats! |
| * Sponsorship: | ||
| * Program: | $5.00 | each – optional (limited supply) |
| * Photography | ||
| Red Package: | $39.95 | - 1 (8x10), 2 (5x7), 2 (4x6) |
| Blue Package: | $29.95 | - 1 (8x10), 1 (5x7) |
| DVD: | $20.00 | each |
| * General Admission: | $20.00 | each – At the door, if available |
| * Door Prize Tickets: | $1.00 | each – optional |
| * Other: |
Note: General admission and tickets for “Patriot Preferred Seating” are available on a first-come first serve-basis. Priority seating is provided for the Patriot ticket holders in the front section of the venue. General admission ticket holders are seated behind the priority seating section, as long as seats are available. It is recommended that tickets be secured early so there will be no disappointments at the door.
Are there refunds?
There are no refunds. Candidate may enter a future event free or at a discounted rate.
Is personal photography permitted?
USA Patriot Pen has an official photographer. Because of confusion, distraction, and the need for courtesy to others, personal photography is not permitted. Personal flashes can affect the iris levels of the video camera equipment as well as distract other audience members. Therefore it is important to avoid extraneous light flashes from the audience. The photography packages are reasonably priced and a quality product that can be displayed with pride and treasured for a lifetime.
What is The Golden Rule good sportsmanship policy?
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
Part of our mission is to promote a positive forum for fun and enjoyment while promoting activities for building fine character. To behave as a Lady or Gentleman is required, and candidates are expected to display behavior that is exemplary in decorum and manners at all times, including but not limited to: kindness, fairness, generosity, helpfulness, sharing, courteousness, and friendliness, honesty, self-control, best grammar without slang or foul language, and foremost - The Golden Rule.
USA Patriot’s Pen reserves the right to rescind any title, award, or gift from any winner for any behavior that the Executive Director deems as inappropriate or is inconsistent with company good sportsmanship policy.
What are the Event Dress Code / Make-up requirements?
USA Patriot’s Pen stands strong for the Red, White, and Blue, and a patriotic attire is most welcome and suggested, but not required.
- Attire Required: Modesty is the best policy!
Modest, age-appropriate Sunday’s best clothing - Suggestions: - Ladies: dress, suit, pants or skirt with pretty, modest blouse/top
- Gentlemen: suit, or pants and nice shirt, (tie optional)
- Suitable shoes for easy walking
- Hair & Makeup:
- Pretty, clean natural hair
- Natural, age-appropriate makeup
- Tattoos must be covered
- Not Permitted: An unkempt appearance is not suitable, as well as, jeans, tee-shirts, short skirts, tight clothing, exposed midriff, ball caps, nose ring, strange hair color and style, multiple ear rings, and visible tattoos etc.
Moms, dads, grandparents, or helpers are welcome to assist little children on stage who need a “helping hand” and a little support! Note: Please dress modestly, remembering that you are on stage when bending over and down helping little ones.
Questions: Contact USA Patriot’s Pen Executive Director:
Email: USAPatriotsPen@cinci.rr.com
Phone: 513-272-8243
Return to top