Monterey County students: enter an essay contest, win an award.

Mission Mortuary in Monterey is sponsoring the first  youth essay contest titled, “What Does Thanksgiving Mean to You?”

“Thanksgiving Day is so much more than turkeys and pies. Our hope is to provide an experience for the young people in our communities to strengthen their writing, research and interviewing skills while enriching their understanding of the meaning of Thanksgiving," said Nick Bermudez of Mission Mortuary. The contest is open to all Monterey County middle and high school students. 

Deadline to submit entries is October 31.

Entrants will be accepted from middle or high school students in Monterey County, regardless of whether they attend public, private, charter or home schools.

Entries must be a personal essay, between 500-525 words. Six prizes will be awarded. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to one each middle and high school first place winner; $200 will be awarded to one each middle and high school first runner-up winners and $100 will be awarded to one each middle and high school second runner-up winners.

Results will be announced at 6 p.m., November 6, during the awards ceremony to be held at at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA 93940. Winners and their parents or guardians must be present to receive their prizes.

For more information, call Nick Bermudez at 831-375-4129.