Senator Stack to host Presidential Idol contest for students

The office of Sen. Mike Stack has announced the second annual President Idol Contest, open to all students in the 5th Senatorial District in kindergarten through eighth grades.

More than 600 students participated in last year’s contest, which is based on the American Idol theme. In keeping with tradition, this year’s nine winners (one from every grade) will be honored at a breakfast at Franklin Towne Charter High School on Presidents Day, Feb. 15. The winners’ families and teachers are also invited to the breakfast.

The rules for the art contest are as follows:

• Grades K-2: A Presidents Day poster depicting what a president does, or just a poster celebrating Presidents Day in general.
• Grades 3-5: Pick your Presidential Idol from the list of presidents 23-44 (Harrison to Obama)
• Grades 6-8: Pick your Presidential Idol from the list of presidents 1-22 (Washington to Cleveland)

New this year is a public speaking contest for high school students. A winner from each grade will be invited to participate in a district-wide contest at Franklin Towne Charter High School on Saturday, Jan. 30. Students will be required to submit written and audio versions of their speeches on the following topics:

• Grade 9: “My Favorite President Is…and Why”
• Grade 10: “Discuss in detail one of the President’s constitutional duties”
• Grade 11: “How did President George Washington Shape the Office of President?”
• Grade 12: “What effect(s) did President Abraham Lincoln’s handling of the Civil War have on the Presidency?”

K-8 Students may use any art medium to display their work on an 11-x-14 poster board. All speeches are due by Monday, Jan. 25, and art entries are due by Wednesday, Jan. 27 to either of Stack’s offices on 2361 Academy Rd., or 8016 Bustleton Ave. For more information, call 215-281-2539 or visit Stack’s Web site to download the entry form.