Hey kids and teens! We want to know if you could be a pet bird which bird would you be and why. The National Cage Bird Show and Higgins Premium Pet Foods are sponsoring a nationwide essay contest. The contest is open to all students in the 7th through 12th grade. Just tell us in 500 words or less what pet bird you would be and why. Essays will be judged on creativity, originality, and thought process. There will be three divisions to compete in: Grades 7 and 8 – Division 1, Grades 9 and 10 – Division 2, and Grades 11 and 12 - Division 3. A winning essay will be selected from each division and awarded a $100 check and $100 in merchandise from Higgins Premium Pet Foods.

Entry Requirements:

1. Essay must be an original essay written by the student submitting the entry and be 500 words or less.
2. Pet birds chosen for the essay topic must be of the variety exhibited under the guidelines of the National Cage Bird Show. For information on these guidelines, please visit www.ncbs.org 
3. Essays can be either handwritten or typed. Handwritten essays must be written on 8 ½" x 11" ruled paper. Essays can also be e-mailed if composed in Microsoft Word format. Please include a cover sheet with the following information:

            Name, Address, E-mail or Phone
            Grade Level/Contest Division
            Essay Title

1. Competition is open to students in grades 7 and 8 (Division 1), grades 9 and 10 (Division 2), and grades 11 and 12 (Division 3). The grade level is determined by the student’s grade level during the Fall 2005 semester.
2. Entries must be postmarked or emailed no later than October 15, 2005. Handwritten and typed essays should be mailed to

Attention: Linda Hogan, NCBS Youth Essay, 933 Wilbur, Wichita, Kansas 67212. Entries can also be emailed to: hogancanary@juno.com

All essays become the property of National Cage Bird Show and cannot be returned. Entries that do not meet the requirements will be disqualified. Winners are determined at the sole discretion of the National Cage Bird Show and Higgins Premium Pet Foods. All decisions are final and are not subject to review. Winners need not be present to win. Winners will be announced on November 19, 2005 at the National Cage Bird Show. Winners will be posted by name and state at www.ncbs.org by December 15, 2005.

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