The Vitae Foundation and Alphonse J. Schwartze Community Foundation will host an essay contest for middle and high school students that offers St. Louis Cardinals tickets as a prize.
Osage County students in seventh through 12th grade can submit an essay on "life issues like abortion, bullying, elderly and child abuse, etc.," according to a news release about the contest. The first 125 submissions will receive four tickets to the Osage County Night at the Ballpark game, tentatively set for the Aug. 4 Cardinals vs. Cubs game. Each student who submits a qualifying essay is eligible to win a $250 voucher for an electronic device to assist with their education, and the Cardinals will offer 52 box seat tickets for individual class winners -- four tickets each to 13 students.
Every teacher who has at last one student participate will be eligible to win a $100 gift card. Teachers who have the highest student participation will get to throw out a first pitch with the student winner. The "All-Star Staff Contest" will also reward the principals of the grand prize winners with tickets to a luxury suite at a game with food and drinks.
Students must be residents of Osage County in seventh through 12th grade to participate. They can attend homeschool, private or public school. Essays must be 500-1,500 words, handwritten or typed, on any life issues topic. One submission per contestant is allowed. Entries should be submitted to contest@ vitaefoundation.org by 5 p.m. June 10.