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The Friends of the University of Missouri-Columbia Libraries invite entries for the

Robert J. Stuckey Essay Contest

$1,500 First Prize
$750 Second Prize
$250 Award to the English teachers of the contest winners

The contest is open only to Missouri High School students (in the 9th through the 12th grades), and only one entry will be accepted from each school. Each school is to choose the essay to be submitted.

Contest Rules

Each essay should be between 1,200 and 1,500 words in length and should address one or more aspects of books and reading. Essays should be typed, double-spaced on one side of paper. Initials of the student should be in the upper right hand corner of each page. A 3" x 5" card with student’s name, gender, address, telephone number, name of school, school address and teacher’s full name should be clipped to the upper left corner of the manuscript. Each essay should have a title. Essays become the property of the Friends of the University of Missouri-Columbia Libraries and the State Historical Society of Missouri Library upon receipt.

Each essay should be originally composed by the student without assistance, and should not have been submitted to any previous contest or have been previously published. Essays which review a single book are not acceptable.

Contest winners, with their parents and teacher, are expected to attend award ceremonies at the Friends Annual Luncheon Meeting in Columbia, in April.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY JANUARY 31, 2012. Entries should be sent to: Sheila Voss, 104 Ellis Library, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65201-5149. For more information, contact Sheila Voss (573) 882-9168 or at vosss@missouri.edu

Contest judges will be comprised of members of the Friends of the Libraries, University Faculty and Library staff. Entries will be judged on the basis of:
  1. Originality of thought
  2. Content
  3. Skill in organizing and presenting ideas and in marshaling evidence
  4. Grammar, spelling and composition

The late Robert J. Stuckey was a member of the 1963 junior class of Farmington High School. Robert had planned to attend college. He was vitally interested in current events and enjoyed reading. He had a natural facility for architectural drawing and was also interested in music. Like most young men, Robert was interested in sports, particularly wrestling. This annual contest is presented in memory of Robert.