Students have the chance to win up to $200 in a nonfiction writing
contest sponsored by the Humane Animal Treatment Society of Isabella
County.

The contest will be used to observe the 12th annual Spay Day USA on
Feb. 28, 2006, sponsored by the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

There are guidelines for the essay.

The topics consist of health benefits of spaying/neutering pets, pet
owner benefits by spaying and neutering, reducing animal suffering by
spaying/neutering and how spaying/neutering improves communities and
saves taxes.

“For this year, we are leaving the style and form of the essay to be
chosen by the writer. The essay can be personal, informative,
research-based and persuasive,” said Stephanie Dueweke, Algonac
sophomore and HATS of CMU president.

The essay’s statistical information must be used from the HATS of
CMU Web site.

Finally, the essay must be between 900 to 1,000 words.

“Without statistics, the scope of the seriousness of the problem
cannot be grasped,” said Carol Smallwood, Mount Pleasant senior and
HATS board member.

Prizes include $200 for first place winners, $120 for second place
and $80 for third place.

Two honorable mentions will receive $50 worth of dance packages at
Toni’s Dance Studio, 5920 E. Broadway Rd. All prizes and money were
donated.

All essays will be judged by members of the HATS, and volunteer
Rochelle Harris, assistant professor of English, is the contest faculty
judge.

“We are so grateful for it. Dr. Harris has a clear passion for
animals, and will provide a great insight in judging the essays,”
Dueweke said.

This is the first time that the essay contest has been offered by
HATS of CMU, but Smallwood said she is confident of the turnout.

“We believe the five prizes will be an incentive,” Smallwood said.

The winners are also eligible to have their work printed on the HATS
Web site and newsletter.

The first place essay will be submitted to local newspapers and
animal organizations.

Entries must be e-mailed to hatsofcmu@hotmail.com with “contest” in
the subject line. Students must have them in by Feb. 17.

More information concerning the contest can be found on the HATS Web
site at www.hatsweb.org.

E-mail the author: Dana DeFever