THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 1995 TAG: 9512050047
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
THE SPIRIT of the holiday season comes to us through figures swathed in tradition and myth.
At Christmas, we think of the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy of a world hailing one of its great teachers of peace and love for all people. We hear the tinkling sleigh bells of Santa, worldwide symbol of generosity.
Jews celebrating Hanukkah recall the independent spirit of Judah Maccabee and his brothers, who led their outnumbered forces to victory against the Syrian tyrant Antiochus IV in 165 B.C.
Who is the person in your life whose spirit and actions capture the meaning of the holidays? It may be a family member or friend, perhaps a person you met just once, who did something that transformed your understanding of the holiday spirit.
We want to meet these people . . . through your essays! Tell us a tale about a person who is your holiday hero. Search through your memory for that individual who gives life to the holiday season - from the spiritual dimension to pure festivity.
One caveat: We want to hear about people you've actually met. Please, no stories about imagined characters or about the spiritual leaders, Jesus Christ and Judah Maccabee, who gave us reason to celebrate.
Contest entries should be typed (double-spaced) or neatly printed, a maximum length of 150 words. Enter in one of two categories: (1) youth, for those 17 and younger, or (2) adult, for those 18 and older.
The winning stories and other selected essays will be published on Christmas Day, with photographs of the winners. To inspire you, we're offering prizes.
Each first-place winner gets a check for $50 and a Virginian-Pilot sweatshirt. The first runner-up in each category gets a $25 check and a Virginian-Pilot sweatshirt.
Story entries must include the writer's name, address, day and evening telephone numbers, and age category. We will need to reach the winners to award prizes and set up an appointment to take photos.
Writers 17 and younger should list their age and school. Classroom assignments will not be accepted in a group package. No more than one entry may be submitted by any teacher or individual.
Entries must be received at the newspaper by 5 p.m. Dec. 13. There are several ways to send us your entry. You may drop it off at the newspaper's office at 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk. You may mail it to The Spirit of Giving Contest, Denis Finley, Features Editor, The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510.
You may fax your story to (804) 446-2963. Please include a cover sheet with the contest name and information for us to contact you.
Winners will be notified no later than Dec. 21. Employees of Landmark and their relatives are not eligible. Sorry, we won't be able to return entries, so please keep a copy for yourself. by CNB