Seventh and eighth grades are invited to submit their ideas and plans for making their community a better place.

“Change Begins with Me” is a contest sponsored by Orange Park Presbyterian Church to encourage students to seek community service opportunities. Funding will be awarded to actualize plans developed by up to three students in the contest entry.

Students can choose from eight suggested social issues or can identify another topic they feel is important. Each entry will be judged on how well the student expresses understanding of the issue, the achievability of each plan, organization and completeness of the plan and its impact. Each entry will be judged independently and blindly (redacted submitter information) by a panel of local judges.

Students in public, private and home-schooling programs are invited to participate. The deadline for receipt of all entries at the church is March 19. Entry packages and information can be obtained by contacting Orange Park Presbyterian Church at (904) 264-0536 or by making a request by email to MissionContest021@gmail.com.

Winners will be announced by early May in time for the students to execute their project plans over the summer school break.

“More than ever, our young people’s values and concerns are catching the attention of policy-makers,” said Rev. John Diller, pastor at Orange Park Presbyterian Church. “We hope this contest unlocks even more freedom of imagination so they can take meaningful steps toward building better communities. I tell you, get ready, because the ideas these young people come up with will become fruitful paths for all of us.”