Elks announce poster and essay contests

The New York Elks Association has announced this year's drug awareness poster and essay contest and an Americanism essay contest.

Theme for the drug awareness contest is "I Choose Not To Use." Participants in kindergarten through fourth grade will submit a poster (between 8 ^1/2-by-11 inches and 22-by-28 inches), while participants in fifth through eighth grades will submit an essay (200 words or less) related to the theme. Entries are due to contestants' local Elks Lodge by Jan. 15, 2012. Contact a local lodge or email [email protected] for more information.

This year's Americanism essay contest theme is "Why I am Proud to Pledge Allegiance to Our Flag." Students must be in fifth through eighth grades to participate. Essays must be 250 words or less and are due to the local Elks Lodge by Jan. 10, 2012.

For more information on the contest, go to http://www.elks.org/programs/americanism.cfm.

Lodges in Niagara County include: Niagara Falls 346, North Tonawanda 860 and Lockport 41.