Attention, Idaho fourth graders: Your essay could earn you a front-row seat to one of the nation’s biggest Christmas traditions. This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will come from Idaho’s Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, and a statewide essay contest will determine who gets to light it.
Idaho’s U.S. senators invite students to write an essay with the prompt: “Why are healthy forests and clean water in Idaho important?”
Sen. Mike Crapo’s team will select a winner, according to a press release from his office, providing the recipient and up to three family members with a round-trip flight to Washington, D.C., a hotel and meal stipends.
The winner will also read their essay during the tree-lighting ceremony.
Submissions must:
- Be between 350-500 words
- Be submitted by Sept. 30
- Be an original essay written by the contest participant
- Certify the essay is not written by AI
- Have approval of a parent or guardian
Submit essays here. Students can also send handwritten essays to Crapo’s office at 251 E. Front Street, Suite 205, in Boise.
