Annual Vindicator Essay Contest and drawing You have two chances to win an American Girl Doll

The Vindicator is conducting both an essay contest and a drawing as two opportunities to win an American Girl Doll. Both are taking place in conjunction with the upcoming American Girl Fashion Show presented by Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

OPTION 1 — THE ESSAY CONTEST

Local girls 8 to 12 years old will have a chance to win their very own Lea Clark doll, which is American Girl’s 2016 Girl of the Year.

How to enter: Participants are asked to submit a brief essay using 200 words or fewer. Each girl is asked to write about an imaginary adventure in her life.

Mail your entry to: The Vindicator, Attn.: Barb Shaffer, Society/Features Editor, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501

Or, email your entry to: society@vindy.com

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 19

NOTE: Each entry must include the girl’s name, age, city of residence and telephone number.

ALSO: Each girl who enters the contest will receive one complimentary ticket to the show of her choice when accompanied by an adult who purchased a ticket. A parent’s email address is required to receive their tickets.

The winner will be notified Monday, Feb. 22, and her picture and winning entry will appear in The Vindicator and will be posted online at www.vindy.com Sunday, Feb. 28.

Some of the other entries the judges like also will be posted online.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN GIRL FASHION SHOW

When: March 5 and 6

Where: Antone’s Banquet Center, 8578 Market St., Boardman

Times: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day

Tickets: Cost of tickets for the show is $30 per person. Visit akronchildrens.org/americangirlfashionshow to obtain tickets or to register for guest modeling. Availability for guest models is limited to 10 per show.

OPTION 2 — THE DRAWING FOR KIT KITTREDGE

Who can enter: If you don’t qualify for the essay contest, The Vindicator also will be giving those who are 18 or older a chance to call in and enter a drawing for a Kit Kittredge doll.

Her story: Kit is one of the historical characters whose story depicts the life of a 9-year-old girl growing up during the Great Depression. She is an aspiring reporter, which plays a big part in her way of relating to the changes in the world around her.

How to enter: Call 877-934-7993 from Jan. 31 to Feb. 28, with the winner contacted Feb. 29.