Essay Writing Contest

NEW in 2026!

 

The Elmwood Area Community Club (EACC), as part of UFO DAYS, is sponsoring an annual essay writing contest open to students in the Elmwood School District in grades 5-12. This contest will start annually during the third quarter of the school year, after State Testing, and will end in mid-May. 

 

The theme for 2026 is "WHY I LOVE ELMWOOD"

Essays need to be 300-500 words in length, typed in 12 point font (no comic sans), and edited for spelling and grammar.

 

All essay submissions must be original, individual work of the student. The use of generative AI tools (such as but not limited to ChatGPT, or Gemini) to draft, rewrite, paraphrase, or generate any portion of the essay is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification.

 

Winners will have the honor of representing Elmwood by riding on the UFO Days float along with receiving a free T-Shirt and a $25.00 voucher to be used at either the Souvenir Stand or Food Tent during UFO Days weekend during the year they were selected. This voucher is non-transferable and will be surrendered if friends or family attempt to use it. 

 

Students must submit the entry form attached to their essay along with Parent/Guardian consent for participation. Any entries received without parent/guardian consent will be eliminated. Entry forms will be distributed to the schools during the 3rd quarter. 

 

THE 2026 UFO DAYS ESSAY WINNERS ARE Arlen H., Paige, G. and Hannah B.

 

Arlen's Essay

Why I love Elmwood. Elmwood is mainly where I've grown up so I have some good memories like searching for the UFO Days medallion of playing pool with my buddies at the Sandbar.

The greatest part about Elmwood is UFO Days. It is a very fun event on the last weekend of July celebrating the UFO sightings in 1970. They have alien everything and it is popular all over Pierce County. There are grillouts, concerts, and people everywhere. You can't get bored when there are people you know everywhere. There are kids with cans behind their bike wheels and fireworks. It's an all around good time, they even bring in fair rides and food trucks. I remember riding bikes with my friends all day and then hanging out with my cousins until midnight, which was late for me. 

Elmwood has some great aspects outside of UFO Days too like eating with your friends at the Shack after swimming in the river all day or eating at Kern's in the morning. But that's all summer things, there are things to do later in the year too like going on the school's haunted trail in October or going to Butternut Park when the festival is going on and getting apple cider. You can go sledding down the bank where there is snow on the ground or go snowmobiling on the school trail. There are so many things to do any time of the year like trashbagging down the bank in the spring when it's raining. From sledding to the UFO Days parade, you can't get bored in Elmwood. 

I'm so glad I live in Elmwood, it is fun to live here and I wouldn't live anywhere else if I had the chance. If I was raised anywhere else I would be astronomically different as a person. Having Elmwood as my hometown is an honor and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Hannah's Essay

     Elmwood is a tiny, close-knit village where everyone knows everyone else. People are familiar with what others enjoy doing for fun, which sports their children play and how they spend their weekends. Living in such a village that offers so many opportunities to connect with your community and develop lasting friendships. One of the biggest lessons I have learned from Elmwood is that, even though you have your own life, you still need to love and care for the people around you.

     Growing up, I vividly remember walking around or playing in the yard with my dad, and everyone knew him. He would have conversations with neighbors about matters that larger communities might not even be aware of. We would stroll through the streets, and while people recognized me, I didn't know them personally, yet they knew everything about me. When we went to support Elmwood's sports teams, I would meet many players and fans-everyone seemed to be part of the same community. There was one time that I still vividly remember to this day. I was playing in the year with my brother, dad, and I when a family walked by with two kids. I didn't know them at all, but they stopped by, and while my dad was having a conversation with the parents, we started playing with the kids. Now, I babysit the kids, and I am very close with that family. Even now, when I walk around, people recognize me because of my dad.

     I never realized how our community could come together and help people who needed it. The day I learned this was when I saw a huge line outside and in the school. We were having a Celebration of Life for my brothers that just passed away, and I didn't realize how many people actually cared for my family. I got so many hugs and was told that if I needed, I could always reach out for help. Then every year after that, we would let lanterns go at the football field. All of the people who I learned actually cared for me were there. It didn't matter if I talked to them all the time or if I barely talked to them; they were there supporting my family and me. I will always love Elmwood because everyone cares and is close to others.

     Elmwood has its lively moments where it can be quite loud, but once you take a step back and appreciate the village's tranquility, it reveals its true beauty. I used to ride my bike all the time, whether alone or with friends. A few years ago, I stopped, but ever since I started track and ran along a rural road, I've been reminded of how beautiful and peaceful Elmwood truly is. UFO Days is one of those loud moments, but then you see all the people talking together, all the kids riding their bikes or playing together, and the people you haven't talked to in awhile. 

     I have realized over the years that Elmwood isn't just a village, it's a family. When I was younger, dreaming about what my life would look like, I imagined myself staying in Elmwood forever. I want my kids to experience UFO Days, attend an amazing school, and, most importantly, realize how amazing and loving Elmwood is. I have always loved Elmwood more than I realized, and writing this has helped me see that. 

 

Paige's Essay

     I love Elmwood because of the Shack. You might be asking yourself, Why does a restaurant make her love Elmwood so much? The answer is because of all the stories I hear from my parents about the Shack. My parents went to the Shack in their early 20's with all of their friends. My mom said that the Shack was always safe. My dad said he likes the Shack because of the Everything pizza, or as he calls it "The Junk pizza". But really, they didn't like the Shack just because of the food, and just because they felt safe (which is still a nice bonus), it was because it was a place where they can just hang out with friends and just be in the moment. Elmwood does not have a whole lot of places where you can just hang out. You have the park, bars, Cenex, or your own house (but who really wants to hang out where your parents or siblings are eavesdropping right around the corner, and you will most likely yell at you later). So the Shack was the place to be. You and all of your friends could get chicken strips on a pizza (my dad) and just be. It was like a little escape before returning back to small town life, where everyone knows each other and their mother, and somehow everyone is related to each other. 

     Really what makes Elmwood so great is that neighbors are always there for you. It might not be literal neighbors, but people around you that watch you grow up and support you. I remember when I was really little, my older sisters and I would play outside all the time in the summer, and on the days that were really hot our neighbor from across the street would bring Freezies over to us. She did not ask for anything back in return. Even though it was a small act, that is what makes Elmwood so special. All of the people.