National Essay Contest

December 04, 2009

Dear Thornhill Students,

As the Member of Parliament for Thornhill, I am proud to invite your students (all grades 9-12) to participate in the National Essay Contest, which is being hosted by the Naval Officers’ Association of Canada (NOAC).

The National Essay Contest is specifically designed to provide students with real opportunities to honour those brave men and women who have served in the Canadian Navy. The calendar year of 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy and with a focus on the past and present achievements of the Canadian Navy. Students are a given a chance to articulate their respect and appreciation as we pay tribute for the 100th year. As a way of promoting creativity, students are provided with a choice of essay,                                                                               sds  poem or artwork for their consideration in making their tribute.

The NOAC highly encourages all students to participate across Canada. Honorary bursaries are presented to the contest winners from each Province and the Territories and an additional award is made available to the National Winner. A team of teachers will make the initial evaluation and forward the top ten of all categories from each province and territory for final adjudication by a panel of retired Naval Officers and Naval Historians.

 In addition to the bursaries of the NOAC, I would like to extend more opportunities for students to be rewarded right here in Thornhill for their support of our Canadian Navy. Every school is encouraged to select and submit top five works to my Community Office to be displayed for the public. Furthermore, honourary letters of recognition will be provided to the top five students from both their Member of Parliament and the Minister of National Defence.

It is critically important that we make these kinds of efforts to recognize the supreme sacrifices that past men and women of our Canadian Navy have made to protecting Canada. As a Federal Minister and Member of Parliament, I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative put forward by the NOAC and I strongly invite you to encourage your students to participate in honouring our brave men and women of our Canadian Navy.
   
Please be advised that attached are details regarding submission procedures, guidelines and student/parent forms for the National Essay Contest.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Community Office.

Sincerely,

The Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)
Member of Parliament for Thornhill