The contest is open to North Carolina public and charter school ninth- and tenth-grade students. Students should write a 500-word essay on “How does my county government improve the lives of its citizens?” The entry deadline is April 30.

The winning student along with that student’s teacher wins $500 and recognition at one of their county’s board of commissioners’ meeting.

Rebecca Lowder, a student at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, won the 2011 contest. Her winning essay focused on the role that counties play in public safety, protecting the environment and animal control.

Contest rules, along with the winning essays from each of the previous years, are posted at welcometoyourcounty.org. This site is designed for citizens and students who would like to learn more about county government and contains information on why counties and county governments exist, where counties receive their funding, what services they provide, who runs county governments and more.

In 2004, the Association Board of Directors adopted five strategic goals. One of these goals is to inform the public and the media about the role of county government. In 2008 as part of the Association’s centennial celebration, the Board of Directors approved the annual essay contest to encourage students and teachers to focus on county government in the classroom. Previous winners have been from Onslow County, Pender County and Cleveland County.

For more information on the contest, contact Todd McGee, NCACC communications director, 715-7336 or todd.mcgee@ncacc.org.