Deadline March 10 for historical essay and visual arts contest for Mesa students

The Mesa Historic Preservation Board is sponsoring a historical essay and visual arts contest to encourage young students to learn more about their city’s past.

The historical essay competition is open to all fourth through 12th graders regardless of whether they attend public, private, charter or home school. There is also a visual arts contest for all kindergarten through 12th graders living in Mesa, according to a release.

Both entries allow students to learn more about Mesa’s history while practicing their writing or visual skills as they create a story around a historic event in the City. Registration is open until March 10.

The writing contest requires a historical essay or fictional story on the following three topics:

• Visit the Mesa Historical Museum and describe the significance of a photo or piece of art
• Describe the significance of a street name in Mesa
• Describe a historical figure and how they contributed to the history of Mesa

Students can also choose their own essay topic relating to historic preservation.

The visual arts contest allows students to practice their skills in video production, sketching, painting or building a 3D model on one of the following:

• Identify an existing place in Mesa that should become “historic” in 50 years
• Identify a historic site older than 50 years in Mesa that should be saved
• Redesign a downtown façade or sign

Students may also create their own art piece related to historic preservation.

Each entry must reflect the student’s research, original thinking and writing or visual skills. Entry forms and essays or videos can be sent to historicpreservation@mesaaz.gov. Participants in the visual arts contest should deliver their projects to the Historic Preservation Office, 55 N. Center St., to the attention of Dawn Dallman. Essay or visual arts projects and entry forms can also be mailed to: City of Mesa Historic Preservation Office, Attn: Dawn Dallman, City of Mesa, P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85211-1466

Entries must be postmarked on or before the contest due date of March 10, 2025. Once submitted, projects become property of the Mesa Historic Preservation Board and will not be returned.

The essay and visual arts contests will be judged and awarded separately. Awards will be given to students and teachers in each category based on grade (K-3, 4-6 and 7-12). Every contestant will receive a certificate of participation.

There will be cash awards ranging from $25 to $100 given to the first-, second- and third-place contest winners in each category for both the students and teachers. Mesa City Council will recognize the top three essay writers and visual arts creators in each category during Historic Preservation Month in May. The Historic Preservation Office’s webpage at https://www.mesaaz.gov/Business-Development/Development-Services/Planning/Historic-Preservation/Student-Essay-Visual-Arts-Contest has more information and the entry form.

For information about Mesa’s Historic Preservation Office, contact historicpreservation@mesaaz.gov.