Newtown students of middle and high school age have just a few more days to put their feelings about why they love their home town into words, while qualifying for a possible a cash award in the process.

As previously announced, The Newtown Bee is coordinating the community-building "Why I LOVE Newtown" Essay Project, and is accepting entries from local young adults until the close of business at 5 pm on February 3. The idea for the project was inspired after a Bee Letter Hive contributor motivated a local benefactor to suggest collecting essays sharing the feelings of Newtown’s younger citizens with the entire community about why they love their hometown. The original offer of providing $1,000 in awards has since been matched by another anonymous community member.

Any middle school or high school age Newtown resident is invited to participate. All they need to do is create an essay — 500 word maximum limit — that reveals why they love Newtown.

After submissions are reviewed by judges, among whom are First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and Newtown Bee Editor John Voket, each essay will be ranked and the top three contributors of middle school age (11-13) and the top three of high school age (14-18) will receive cash awards: $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place.

Interested participants can submit their essays by e-mail to editor@thebee.com, with “Why I LOVE Newtown” in the subject line.

There is no minimum word count. Participants are simply encouraged to be honest, thoughtful, and creative in their reflections.

Only written word content, including poetry, will be accepted - no Google Doc links, please, just attach or paste your essay into an email. Entries featuring songs, videos, visual artwork, or other electronic media will not be considered. All entries must be submitted by e-mail.

Each entry must include the full name of the contributor, their age, home address, the name of their school (or home schooled, if appropriate), and a contact phone number in the event there are any questions, or to be notified if they are among the finalists.