(AUSTIN, Texas) — Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush would like to remind parents and teachers to encourage 4th and 7th grade students to participate in Save Texas History’s 2015 Texas Travels Essay Contest. The Texas Travels Essay Contest encourages students to read and write about cities, towns, and distinct geographic locales that are significant to the development of this state, as well as the brave individuals who pioneered vast and uncharted areas of Texas.

“As a former history teacher, it’s especially rewarding to have the opportunity to encourage students to participate in the 2015 Texas Travels Essay Contest,” Bush said. “Students learning about Texas history are introduced to the heroes who founded our great state. I look forward to reading the essays and congratulating the winners.”

All public, private and home-schooled students of appropriate age for 4th and 7th grades may participate. Submissions will be judged based on originality, creativity, historical accuracy, organization, proper use of grammar, spelling, neatness and presentation.

Entries must be received by March 13, 2015.

One grand prize award winner per grade level will receive round trip airline tickets for four to San Antonio from any Southwest Airlines destination in Texas, hotel accommodations for two nights and complimentary tickets to attractions provided by the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Alamo. Ten finalists per grade level will win Save Texas History backpacks, certificates of appreciation and a historic map reproduction from the Land Office map collection.

For additional details, please visit http://www.glo.texas.gov/save-texas-history/essay-contest.html. Applicants with questions may contact Buck Cole, the K-12 Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Texas General Land Office’s Archives and Records at (512) 936-9644 or buck.cole@glo.texas.gov.

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