The Santa Ana Elks Lodge is sponsoring its annual Americanism Essay Contest for sixth-grade students in the Tustin and Santa Ana unified school districts. This year’s theme is “Why I am Proud to Pledge Allegiance to Our Flag.”

The lodge will choose the top essayists, regardless of school district. From this group they will select eight winners – four boys and four girls. The finalists will be awarded U.S. Savings Bonds of $250, $200, $150 and $100 for the top four boys’ essays and the top four girls’ essays.

The top winners, along with their teachers and parents, will be invited to an awards ceremony at the lodge in the spring.

Contest rules and entry forms have been distributed to all five middle schools – Columbus Tustin, Currie, Hewes, Orchard Hills, Pioneer and Utt – in the Tustin school district. Essays must be original compositions not to exceed 250 words.

The contest deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 13.

For more information, call the TUSD Communications Office at (714) 730-7339.