Local students in grades six through 12 are invited to participate in an Independence Day writing challenge that is being sponsored by Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace. Winning essays will be read during the park's Independence Day programming on Tuesday, July 4.

The contest is open to students who attend schools in the counties surrounding the historic site - Chester, Montgomery and Berks counties. Locally eligible students include those who reside in the Coatesville, Daniel Boone, Owen J. Roberts and Twin Valley school districts. Homeschool students in those districts are also welcome to participate.

"Last year was our first try. We opened the contest to three closest school districts - Daniel Boone, Owen J. and Twin Valley. By opening up to other districts, we are hoping to get a larger amount of submissions," said Jeff Jones, Hopewell site manager.

As part of the contest, students in grades nine through 12 are asked to submit an essay of 500 words or fewer, and students in grades six through eight may submit an essay of 300 words or fewer. This year's topic is "What Does the Phrase 'Created Equal' Mean to You?"

"Last year, the topic was 'What Does the Declaration of Independence Mean to You?' so we decided to take phrases that people recognize from the document and get their thoughts about what some of those phrases mean," Jones said. "We will choose another phrase for next year."

Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges, with the top three students from each grade group receiving cash awards of $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place. The top three winners from each grade group will read their essays on July 4 during a ceremony set for 2 p.m. at the Ironmaster's Mansion.

Essays may be submitted by mail to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, c/o Independence Day, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520; hand-delivered to the park visitor center on Wednesdays through Sundays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; or emailed to HOFU_Superintendent@nps.gov.

Submissions are due by Sunday, April 30. Complete details are available at http://www.nps.gov/hofu.

Jones encourages all local students to participate. "We want to reach the next generation of Americans to see their opinions on the founding documents," he said.

Hopewell Furnace, established as a National Historic Site on Aug. 3, 1938, preserves the late 18th- and early 19th-century setting of an iron-making community, including the charcoal-fueled furnace. The furnace was established in 1771 by ironmaster Mark Bird and operated as a furnace for the next 112 years.

The park's facilities are currently open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hopewell Furnace is located off Route 345, about 5 miles south of Birdsboro. Admission to the park is free. For more information, call 610-582-8773 or visit the park's website.