KY Grandparent Essay Contest

graders in Kentucky public schools.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (must meet ALL criteria to proceed):

•  Must be an original work of the author and can be submitted either: 1) handwritten on one side only, on white, lined 8”x11” paper OR 2) type-written, double-spaced, in a clear accessible digital file (please check with your District/County unit leaders what option(s) your school should use).
• 300-500 words in length, written in English (Every word -a, in, the, etc.- counts towards the word count).
• Essay must be written about (only) one grandparent or surrogate grandparent, (e.g. someone the  child considers to be “like a grandparent”) who is alive at the time the essay is written.
• Include the components of a formal essay (introduction, supporting points and conclusion).
• Name and school of the author must be included at the end of the essay.
• The winning essay from each school must be submitted with an official entry form. The entry forms can be photocopied.

DEADLINES:

• School winner deadline: December 15, 2026
• County winner deadline: February 2, 2027
• District winner deadline: March 2, 2027

State winner will be announced at the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (KRTA) Annual Meeting  in April 2027. Entries postmarked or received at the AARP Kentucky P.O. Box after the stated  deadlines cannot be considered. Mail to: AARP Kentucky, P.O. Box 910294, Lexington, KY 40591-0294

JUDGING CRITERIA & AWARDS:

• Qualifying characteristics of nominee as a grandparent or surrogate grandparent 50%
• Creativity & Expression 30%
• Grammar, Form & Neatness 20%

School winner: Chosen by 5ᵗʰ grade teachers from the submitting school. There can be only one  school winner per school; both the participating school and its winner will receive a certificate. If only one school in a county participates, then the School winner is automatically the County  winner (note this on form).

County winner: Chosen by the RTA Local President and/or Unit. Each County winner will receive an  embossed certificate. If there is only one county in the District, then the County winner is automatically the District winner (note this on form).

District winner: Chosen by KRTA District President and/or officers. Each District winner will receive a plaque and a $100 award.

State winner: Chosen by a panel of state level KRTA and AARP officials. The state winner will receive a plaque, a $500 award and an expense paid trip (by AARP) to the KRTA Convention. The winning student’s teacher will receive a check for $500 towards school supplies.

Teacher winners: All Teachers’ names of each participating student will be in a drawing at the KRTA Convention. Two winning teachers will each receive a $250 gift card for school supplies.

Please send questions via e-mail to kyaarp@aarp.org