Organizers for the Spirit of Douglas Award Contest were pleased this week to announce that former Arizona Governor, U.S. Ambassador, and hometown icon Raúl H Castro will be the keynote speaker for their awards social on Oct. 13.

As a part of his appearance, Governor Castro will be presenting $500 check prizes to each of the winning essayists and be on hand to sign his own books.

The awards social will be hosted by the Douglas Centennial Committee on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Douglas Government Center. The reception begins at 4:30 p.m. with the ceremony commencing at 5 p.m. The ceremony will include recognition of the essay judges from Cochise College as well as recognition for those who have contributed from the community.

As reported previously, the Spirit of Douglas is a first of its kind competition open to all K-12 schools in the Douglas area to include private, charter, and public. The contest co-sponsored by the Douglas Dispatch and Voice of Douglas via the Douglas Centennial Committee offers a wide range of opportunities. Event co-sponsor Danny dj Morales, ticks down the opportunities “Spirit of Douglas is a chance for each participating school to nominate one student from the elementary, middle, and high school grade level. It’s a chance for students, one from each grade level, to win $500. It’s a chance for their winning essays to be published in the Oct.10 edition of the Douglas Dispatch. It’s a chance for runners up and honorable mentions to appear alongside the winners with their name, grade, and school noted. It’s a chance for our K-12 students to play an integral role in our upcoming Centennial celebrations. Lastly, it’s a chance for the community to incentivize literacy, authorship, and scholastic achievement.”

On this last note, Morales underscores his appreciation for those who have thus far contributed. He reports that financial contributions have come in from the Friends of the Douglas Public Library, City of Douglas Youth Activity Fund, Christian Life Center, and Voice of Douglas. He says that the generosity seen thus far echoes the 2012 theme, “this truly is a Douglas story that inspires me and I deeply thank our financial sponsors. They like our students are writing a new chapter in Douglas’ history.”

Morales would like to remind individuals and organizations that contributions are still being accepted at the Douglas Dispatch now until this Friday, Sept.28 at 5 p.m. If contributing via check or money order, please make payable to the Douglas Dispatch and note “Spirit of Douglas Award Contest” in the memo.

For contest details, please visit the “News” tab at http://douglasdispatch.com, email spiritofdouglas@gmail.com, OR see your school principal