Augusta--Kirstie Lynne Grenier and her classmates, along with Katherine Sousa and her family, will be the guests of Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky on Thursday, May 24, 2001 for a special viewing of the original Maine Constitution.  Kirstie is a fifth grade student at J. H. Bean School in Sidney.  She had the winning poster in the Maine History category.  Katherine is an eighth grade student at Shapleigh Middle School in Kittery, who had the winning entry on the Maine Constitution.  She will be making the trip to Augusta with her parents.  The viewing of the Maine Constitution is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Maine State Archives.

Secretary Gwadosky sponsors the annual poster and essay contest to promote Maine history and the importance of democracy and voting among Maine‘s young people.  Over 800 posters and more than 100 essays from schools all over the state were received at the Secretary of State’s Office.

The winners in each of the categories are as follows:

Grade                                                                                                        Visit Date

K-3    Maine Symbols             Emma Kammerer        Hall-Dale Elem. School          June 6
4-5    Maine History                Kirstie Lynne Grenier   J. H. Bean School                 May 24

6-8    Maine Constitution         Katherine Sousa         Shapleigh Middle School        May 24
9-12   Voting and Democracy  Hannah Layton            Bangor Christian School        March 29

The winners of the contest receive a $100 savings bond and are invited by Secretary Gwadosky to visit the Capital Complex to view the original Maine Constitution that is kept at the Maine State Archives.

“The response to this program is always remarkable,” stated Secretary Gwadosky.   “We receive a number of creative posters and the essays show that the students have thought seriously about the issues of voting and democracy.  I’m glad I had a panel of judges to help me decide on the winners.”

Invitations to participate in this program were mailed to all Maine schools.  Students could participate in one of four categories based upon grade level.  Students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 could draw a poster on the official Maine symbols (chickadee, pine tree, state seal, etc.).  Grades 4 and 5 were asked to draw a poster pertaining to Maine History.  Students in grades 6 to 8 could submit an essay on the Maine Constitution, while grades 9 to 12 were given the topic “the Importance of Voting and Democracy”. 

The winning posters and essays may be viewed on the Secretary of State’s Kids Page website - - http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/.