Common Wealth Writing Contest

Hannah Falchuk (right), St. Mark's Class of 2014, was a writing contest winner last year. She wrote an essay describing why she would like to meet famous writer, historian, narrator, and lecturer David McCullough.







The Common Wealth Awards Writing Contest is open to all Delaware high school students, grades 9 through 12. By submitting an essay or article you will be eligible to win an invitation to the April 21 Common Wealth Awards ceremony.

The 2014 Common Wealth Award winners are:

 Bob Costas, Emmy Award-winning journalist and eight-time National Sportscaster of the Year, for
Mass Communications

 Anjelica Huston, Academy Award-winning actress and director, for Dramatic Arts

 Mariano Rivera, future Hall of Fame baseball player, social activist and humanitarian, for Public Service

Rules and Criteria:

1. In 300 - 500 words explain which Common Wealth honoree you most want to meet and why. You may submit your work in any format including essay, news article, prose, poetry, etc.
2. On a separate page, please provide your name, home address, e-mail address, home telephone number, high school you attend and grade, and your date of birth. Include a brief description of your writing experience or other extra-curricular activities.
3. All entrants must be available to attend the awards ceremony on Saturday, April 5, 2014, beginning at 4 p.m.
4. Past contest winners are not eligible to participate.
5. There are no academic scholarships or financial rewards associated with participation in this contest.

Deadline: Entries must be submitted by midnight March 16, 2014 via e-mail or U.S. mail—one submission only.

Send to: The PNC Financial Services Group
Attn: Mary Elizabeth Biddle
300 Delaware Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19801
email - mary.biddle@pnc.com

Winners:
Essay winners and their parents or guardian will be invited to attend the April 5, 2014 Common Wealth Awards ceremony at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington where the honorees will be recognized for their lifetime achievements. Contest winners will be notified by March 24, 2014.

About the Common Wealth Awards: The Common Wealth Awards of Distinguished Service were created by the late Ralph Hayes, an influential business executive and philanthropist. Hayes conceived the awards to reward and encourage the best of human performance worldwide. He served on the board of directors of PNC Delaware’s predecessor banks for 30 years. Through the Common Wealth Awards, Hayes sought to recognize outstanding achievement in eight disciplines: dramatic arts, literature, science, invention, mass communications, public service, government and sociology.