Students rise to Red, Write & Blue Challenge

More than 600 Northeast Ohio students in grades 1 through 8 submitted artwork and essays to the Red, Write & Blue Challenge.

“Our goal was to raise awareness of the upcoming presidential convention in Cleveland among children and give them an opportunity to use their creative talents to express their views on civics and patriotism,” says organizer Sally Florkiewicz. “In doing so, we hope we also were able to generate important discussions about these topics in their classrooms and among their families.”

Students were invited to explore various topics, ranging from “What does freedom look like?” to “I have a dream” to “President Abraham Lincoln.”

In conjunction with the Republican National Convention, submissions will be displayed at various locations around Cleveland, including the windows of a storefront in the 2200 block of Euclid Avenue (formerly occupied by Cleveland State University’s Office of Civic Engagement). Entries also will be on view at the TEDxSalon on “21st Century Democracy,” set for Wednesday, July 20, in the CSU Student Center.

The Red, Write & Blue Challenge was sponsored by the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County and administered by CSU’s Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education, led by Sharon Brown, Ph.D.

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ATTENTION
1st – 8th Graders

Red, Write and Blue Writing Challenge

Join the fun and enter the Red, Write and Blue Challenge. Complete this application and return it with your drawing and /or essay. Below read the rules and regulations.

RULES and REGULATIONS

Eligibility: Challenge open to all students grades 1 – 8 from public, parochial, private and home schooled environments. Parents of students participating must sign the attached permission slip of this form and submit it with the student’s submission. Only original work may be submitted.

How to enter: There is no fee to enter this challenge. Choose a topic from the list below. Mail your completed drawing and/or essay to the address below at Cleveland State University.

Guidelines: Essays should be no more than 200 words or less. Essay submissions may be printed, written legibly or typed. Drawings may be on any media (Paper, construction paper, poster board, no larger than 28“X 22”). Drawings may be in ink, crayon, markers, paint etc. Submissions for display purposes will be selected on neatness, sincerity and originality. You may submit more than one entry.

Time frame: Challenge drawings and essays will be accepted from February 15, 2016 – April 15, 2016.

Topics: Submissions will be written or drawn using any one of these topics:

The American Flag
What does freedom look like?
To me, patriotism means
All Americans matter
“I have a dream”
Dear Soldier, thank you for
Why we vote!
America the Beautiful
President Abraham Lincoln

Cleveland State University
Center for Excellence & Innovation
Attn: Red, Write & Blue Challenge 2121 Euclid Ave.
RW238
Cleveland, Oh 44115

Join in the fun!
RED, WRITE AND BLUE CHALLENGE

A NOTE TO PARENTS OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE RED, WRITE AND BLUE CHALLENGE

The Red, Write, and Blue Challenge is designed to involve children and their families in the presidential election process and to display the child’s civics knowledge and patriotism. The purpose of this challenge is to:

• Bring awareness to children in Northeast Ohio that a national presidential convention is being held in Cleveland, Ohio and to provide an opportunity to experience and participate in the political process excitement.

•Create interest in the political and voting process that is unique to America.

• Provide an opportunity for children to express their feelings about patriotic, political, or civics topics through an essay or drawing.

• Our hope is to generate discussion within their family on these important topics.

This is not a contest.
This is an opportunity for the children of Northeast Ohio to display their talents.

Enjoy this Challenge with your child.

Have a conversation with your child.
Take pride in Cleveland as it is viewed through the words and pictures of our children!

Questions: Call 216-523-7107

Go to one of the following websites to print out information and submission forms:

www.csuohio.edu/cehs/ceie
www.cuyahogacountygop.com