State Senator Craig Wilcox | Illinois General Assembly
State Senator Craig Wilcox | Illinois General Assembly
State Senator Craig Wilcox has announced the launch of his second annual "My Inspirational Teacher" essay contest. This initiative, aimed at celebrating teachers during Illinois' Teacher Appreciation Week from May 5-9, invites students in grades 6 through 8 within the 32nd Senate District to participate.
The contest encourages students to write essays between 250 and 500 words about a teacher who has significantly impacted their educational journey. Senator Wilcox stated, “Teachers make a profound difference in so many lives, and I want to provide students with an opportunity to remind them of all the ways their favorite teacher inspires and motivates them.” He added that last year's inaugural contest featured touching tributes and expressed anticipation for this year's submissions.
Essays should detail specific actions by teachers that have positively influenced students and outline how these actions have affected their academic progress. Entries must include the student's name, school, grade level, as well as the teacher's name, school, and subject taught. A panel of education leaders will evaluate submissions based on persuasiveness, spelling and grammar accuracy, and adherence to instructions.
“Teachers serve as a role model that might not otherwise be available in some young people’s daily lives,” Wilcox commented. He emphasized that teachers often fulfill roles beyond education such as mentors or counselors. The essay contest is seen as a way to publicly thank educators for their contributions.
Winning essays will be recognized with several awards. The grand prize winner's essay will be published on Senator Wilcox’s website (SenatorWilcox.com), while excerpts from all winning entries will be displayed for a week at the State Capitol rotunda in Springfield.
Students interested in participating must submit their entries by April 25, 2025. Winners will be notified via email.
The communities included in the 32nd Senate District are Antioch, Bull Valley, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox Lake, Island Lake, Johnsburg, Lake Villa, Lakemoor, Lakewood, Lindenhurst McCullom Lake McHenry Oakwood Hills Port Barrington Prairie Grove Richmond Ringwood Round Lake Beach Spring Grove Trout Valley Volo Woodstock Wonder Lake
For further details regarding the essay contest contact Kim at kjohnson@sgop.ilga.gov.
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