Essay contest

As part of the contest, students in grades nine through 12 are asked to submit an essay of 500 words or fewer, and students in grades six through eight may submit an essay of 300 words or fewer. This year’s topic is “What Does the Phrase ‘Created Equal’ Mean to You?”

“Last year, the topic was ‘What Does the Declaration of Independence Mean to You?’ so we decided to take phrases that people recognize from the document and get their thoughts about what some of those phrases mean,” Jones said. “We will choose

Calendar frompg 4

April 1. Berks Community

Strollers Hike

Hopewell Furnace National Park

2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, 10 a.m. The group will walk on several trails. The terrain will be moderate. Hike Leader: Linda, 610-913-0284

April 1. Car Show

Twin Valley High School, 3 p.m. The show is being held in conjunction with the high school’s production of “Grease.” The car show is free to spectators, and costumed cast members from the play will be on hand at the event.

April 2. All-You-Can-Eat

Breakfast Buffet

Geigertown Fire Company

3433 Hay Creek Road, Robeson Township, 7 to 11 a.m. For more information, visit the fire company’s another phrase for next year.”

Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges, with the top three students from each grade group receiving cash awards of $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place. The top three winners from each grade group will read their essays on July 4 during a ceremony set for 2 p.m. at the Ironmaster’s Mansion.

Essays may be submitted by mail to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, c/o Independence Day, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520; hand-delivered to the park visitor center on Wednesdays through Sundays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; or emailed to HOFU_Super intendent@nps.gov.

Submissions are due by Sunday, April 30. Complete details are available at www.nps.gov/hofu.

Jones encourages all local students to participate. “We want to reach the next generation of Americans to see their opinions on the founding documents,” he said.

Hopewell Furnace, established as a National Historic Site on Aug. 3,

1938, preserves the late 18th- and early 19th-century setting of an iron-making community, including the charcoal-fueled furnace. The furnace was established in 1771 by ironmaster Mark Bird and operated as a furnace for the next 112 years. The park’s facilities are currently open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hopewell Furnace is located off Route 345, about 5 miles south of Birdsboro. Admission to the park is free. For more information, call 610582-8773 or visit the park’s website.