Right from the Middle: Elementary School essay contest on America’s Greatest President now open

Former Congressman Bill Lipinski sponsors a regular writing contest on American Patriotism for young elementary school students in 6th 7th and 8th Grade. Anyone from any school can enter and the winning essays and schools with the most entries can win prizes. This most recent contest in the All American Eagles Essay Contest series is on the topic “Who was America’s Greatest President.” Essays should be between 400 and 700 words submitted no later than Feb. 14, 2022.

By Bill Lipinski

William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia — William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District).

Back in the 1960’s, long before I ran for Alderman of the 23rd ward or the United States House of representatives

I was working in the recreation Department of the Chicago Park District. It was the time of the Vietnam War.

I had just completed my six years in United States Army reserves, and wanted to continue serving my country

It was a very terrible troubled time in our Land of the Free and home of the brave. Some of the country supported our efforts to stop Communism in Vietnam, and some of our citizens wanted no part of that flight.

The war was dividing us, that’s spelled capitol U.S. into two very hostile warring factions. To try to do something about it in a very small way, my wife RoseMarie and I came up with some patriotic events that we hoped would bring our community together.

The events were a parade on the 4 of July called the Patriots parade, Atlantic events with patriotic names such as the Betsy Ross 50-yard dash, the 1776 high jump, the Minuteman softball tournament, and many other patriotic names and events.

These events were held on the week-end closest to the fourth of July for boys and girls who are 8 years of age to 17 years of age. We also held a junior citizens contest for 6, 7, and 8th grade students called the All American Girl and Boy Essay contest.

Before I mention any other events, we came up with to try to bring our community closer together in a patriotic way, I must say these events would not have been possible, without the help of my fellow park district worker the supervisor of Wentworth Park, my very good friend Ray McDonald.

McDonald was a World War II Veteran that loved his country very, very much.

Another patriotic activity we came up with was the Southwest Liberty Society which recognized adults in each community for their patriotic endeavors.

Over the course of the years because of changing circumstances and changing times some of these events passed into other’s hands to continue and some just stopped being held for one reason or another.

The One organization and event that I founded in 1968 and I continue to run without interruption for all these years is the All American Eagles Americanism essay and history quiz competition.

This program is conducted each year between October and April for 6th, 7th. and 8th grader.

We believe it is very important to educate our youth in Americanism American history and in our democratic principles.

We believe one way of doing this is by conducting essay competitions and a history quiz. We Believe this will inspire are young people to read about and reflect on America and its glorious history.

A history that has seen us save mankind in two world wars, conquer international Communism, and build the world’s greatest economy for our benefit and the benefit of all mankind.

The first two events this year were essay competitions titled “Why I Love America” and “What were the causes of the Revolutionary War.”

The next event is our third essay competition titled “Who is the greatest president in the history of America.”

The deadline to submit entries for this new All American Essay Contest essay competition is Monday, February 14, 2022.

The rules and awards for this essay competition is as follows: the essay must include the student’s name, address, phone number, the name of the student’s school, the school’s phone number, grade and room number. The essay must be at least 400 words but no more than 700 words.

Awards given to the First and Second Place winners in each of the three grades, 6th, 7th and 8th grades. In addition, a cash prize will be given to the First Place winner in each grade, 6th 7th and 8th grade. There is also a cash prize for the school that has the most student entries.

Entries should be mailed to Bill Lipinski, 5305 Lawn Avenue, Western Springs, IL. 60558.

For more information about this new All American Essay Contest, please email me at [email protected].

I look forward to seeing student entries.

(William O. Lipinski served in Congress representing the 5th and 3rd Congressional District in Illinois from 1982 until 2005. For more information or to share a comment, email Bill at [email protected].)

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William Lipinski

William Oliver Lipinski is a former U.S. Representative from the State of Illinois. He served as the Democratic Committeeman from the Chicago 23rd Ward from 1975 and as Alderman of the Ward until he was elected to the Congress in 1982.

Lipinski writes the "Right from the Middle" Column twice each month.

Born in Chicago, Cook County, Ill and graduated fromSt. Patrick High School, Chicago, Ill., 1956; attended Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, 1956-1957; United States Army Reserves, 1961-1967.

Lipinski was elected alderman, Chicago, Ill., city council, 1975-1982; He was a delegate to: the Democratic National Midterm Convention, 1974; Democratic National Convention, 1976 and 1984; Illinois state Democratic convention, 1977.

He was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-eighth and to the ten succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1983-January 3, 2005)

His email is [email protected]

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