The 3^rd
Annual House of Poland Scholarship Essay Contest
will be announced in the Fall of 2005.

The 2^nd Annual House of Poland Scholarship
Essay Contest 2004-2005.

The House of Poland, Inc., in Balboa Park, San Diego, with its 69-year old tradition of presenting Polish heritage and culture, announces its second annual Scholarship Essay Contest, in which high school juniors or seniors can win a scholarship award up to $1,500 to be used toward their higher education. Students enter by writing an Essay of 1,200 words minimum, on one of several topics related to Polish History.  The rules and conditions of the contest are outlined below:

Topics

Select one of the following topics:
(Topic titles may not be changed in the essays submitted)

• The tradition of religious tolerance in Poland from its early history through the present time.
• The rescue of Vienna led by the King of Poland Jan III Sobieski and its significance in the history of Europe.
• Contributions of early Polish immigrants to the settlement of the American colonies and the development of the United States of America.
• Maria Sklodowska Curie – her life and achievements.
• Contributions of the Polish armed forces (army, navy and air force) to the Allied war efforts on the various fronts during World War II.
• Zegota – Polish underground action to rescue Jews from Nazi persecution during World War II.
• Challenges and rewards facing Poland in its accession to the European Union.
• The August 1944 Warsaw Uprising and the reaction of the Allies.

Judging

Submitted Essays will be judged on knowledge of the subject, style, grammar, and originality.  Judges will look for clear, logically organized writing that is original, and well-supported by references to historical sources. Winning Essays must demonstrate a significant effort of the student in researching various historical sources that lead to a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

2004/05 Essay Contest Prizes

The minimum number of prizes in this year's competition is as follows:

• 1^st prize of $1,500
• 2^nd prize of $1,000
• 3^rd prize of  $500

The House of Poland solicits private donations to increase the pool of prizes, and reserves the right to provide additional prizes in this contest. Donors will be acknowledged and will participate in award ceremonies.

General Rules

The House of Poland, Inc. may be referred to hereafter as HOP.

• Entrant must be a full-time matriculated student in the eleventh or twelfth grade at time of entry.
• Entrant must be a legal resident of the U.S. and attending High School in San Diego county.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA is required.
• Essay must be no less than 1,200 words and no more than 2,000 words in length, not including references, and must be computer printed or typewritten and double-spaced.
• The essay may not include any pictures or graphics.
• Please submit the Essay in paper original and one unstapled copy, plus e-mail your essay as MS Word attachment to: essays@houseofpoland.org . 
• The complete Submittal must include the Essay, a sealed Certified Transcript, plus a completed Entry Form (posted on the website: www.houseofpoland.org). Incomplete submittals received will be disqualified.
• The Essay paper must NOT show the Entrant's name or any other form of identification. (Essay will be coded for identification).
• Essay must be the original sole work of the Entrant, written in English prose.
• One entry per student is allowed.
• All Essays must be post marked no later than January 30, 2005.
• Winners will be notified by April 15, and will receive Award Certificates at a ceremony on the first Sunday in May. 
• Monetary awards must be used toward tuition or study materials, and such awards will be made upon receipt of proof of enrollment in an accredited college.
• All entries will become the property of HOP and will not be returned. All entries may be displayed at the House of Poland or published at the discretion of HOP.

Mail Submissions to:

House of Poland
P.O. Box 1364, La Mesa, CA  91944
attn. Scholarship

e-mail: essays@houseofpoland.org

If you wish to verify our receipt of your essay, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope with the essay.
 

Regulations and Conditions

The essays will be identified by code by the Contest Administrator who is independent of the judges, and the judges will not know the identity of the authors. Decisions of the judges are final and binding. Independent judges will be appointed by the HOP Board of Directors.  Members and immediate families of the HOP Board of Directors serving in the current and preceding year can not serve as judges. All Federal, State, and Local laws apply. This offer is void where prohibited by law. Cash substitution, transfers or assignments of prizes are not allowed. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the prize winner.

Entrants must consent to the use of their name, biographical information and/or photos or likeness for publicity purposes without compensation or further notice. An Award Certificate ceremony for the winners is planned for the first Sunday in May. A written notice of the award ceremony will be sent to contest participants. Monetary scholarship awards will be given to the winners upon receipt of proof of enrollment in an accredited college or university.

The Entry Form includes an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity provisions, and must be signed by the student and their parent or legal guardian if the student is under the age of 18. HOP reserves the right not to award a prize or any prizes when submission(s) do not meet the contest standards or criteria, as determined solely by the judges or Board of Directors of HOP.

Entrants give the House of Poland, Inc., their legal representatives and assigns, the right and permission to copyright and/or use, reuse and/or publish, and republish the Essay and the Entrant's information and pictures through any media, as deemed appropriate by the Board of HOP. Entrant must warrant that he/she is the sole author of the Essay, which consists entirely of Entrant's original work. Entrant must further warrant that any references to other works are correctly cited in the Essay.

Entrants shall license the Essay to the HOP, to be used as deemed appropriate by the HOP Board, and the Entrant shall relinquish all copyrights therein. The Entrant shall further certify that he/she has reviewed all the rules and regulations published by HOP regarding this Contest and that he/she has complied therewith. Finally, Entrant shall indemnify and hold harmless the House of Poland, Inc., its directors and officers, and the House of Pacific Relations, Inc., and its directors and officers, from any liability or expense which may derive from a breech of any of the warranties herein, or from the participation in this Contest.

(Entry form)

HOUSE OF POLAND, Inc.
Member, House of Pacific Relations
International Cottages, Inc. - Established 1935
Balboa Park, San Diego, California

Text prepared by Adam G. Saling.
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