Aurelio’s Pizza, a family pizza tradition since 1959, with two locations in Naperville, seeks essays from 4th graders for its second annual Family Traditions Essay Contest. The aim of the competition is to increase writing proficiency among the young students, a focus near and dear to the editors of Positively Naperville and every print medium in search of good, thoughtful writers.
Organizers said the 2012 contest attracted many heartwarming Christmas, Easter, Hanukah, Thanksgiving and summer vacation stories, as well as a few traditions “that were just plain fun like the Pickle Hunt and the Blast Party.”
Open to all 4th graders within a 10-mile radius of any Aurelio’s location, the 300-word essay contest gives students the opportunity to interview their parents and grandparents and share their personal family traditions. Students can work on essays independently or as part of a classroom project. For teachers interested in participating, the essay contest easily assimilates into the typical 4th grade classroom setting and includes lesson plans based on common core standards developed by teachers. The lesson plans include activities to help students with pre-writing, writing and editing.
To check distance in Naperville, Aurelio’s Pizza has two locations: Naperville-Hobson, 931 W. 75th St., as well as Naperville-Springbrook, 1975 Springbrook Square Dr., just off S. Rt. 59.
Enter by October 15 deadline
Individual students who would like to participate or teachers who would like to have their classrooms participate can visit www.AureliosTraditions.com now through October 15 for submission information, judging criteria, a complete list of rules and to register.
All essays must be submitted online no later than October 15, 2013.
Judging will take place between October 16 and October 31, 2013 and will be based on essay length, originality, appropriateness and reader enjoyment. Each participating 4th grader will be competing within his/her geographic region for three levels of prizes.
First prize includes a private class pizza party for the winning essayists’ entire class, a free family dinner from Aurelio’s for that essayist and $100 gift card for room supplies for his/her teacher; 2nd prize includes free family dinner at Aurelio’s for the 2nd place essayist and a $50 gift card for room supplies for his/her teacher; and 3rd prize includes a free large pizza from Aurelio’s for the 3rd place essayist and a $50 gift card for room supplies for his/her teacher.
