We are all familiar with the saying: "A Hero doesn't need to have superpowers to be one!"

Youth attending a high school in Langley are encouraged to write an original essay answering the question of who is as their hero and why? Essays must be typed or written in legible handwriting, and it cannot be longer than 600 words.

They are entered to win...

-  1st prize - $500
-  2nd Prize - 8GB iPod Touch
-  3rd Prize - $100 gift card

All essays must be received at the Langley Spirit of BC office on Monday, February 2, 2009 by 4:00 PM.

Then all essay participants are invited to our "Heroes Live Here Coffee House" event! Event sponsors will be on hand to present the essay contest winners with their prizes.

Local heroes' or people who have achieved a lofty goal have been asked to attend the Coffee House and share their story with everyone. They will share their challenges and offer their words of encouragement as our teens start their life journey. Be sure to bring your camera!

This event is held at the end of the Spirit of BC week on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at George Preston Recreation Centre. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Full Contest Rules:

-  Entries must include the writer's name, school's name, grade, age, address, phone number and e-mail address, if available.   Youth between the ages of 15-18 in the Langley School District are permitted to enter.

-  All work submitted must be entirely the work of the person submitting it. No outside assistance in, but not limited to, brainstorming, editing, proofreading, is allowed.

-  The essay cannot exceed 600 words and must be written in English.

-  All essays must be submitted to your teacher and brought to the Langley Spirit of BC Office by no later by 4:00 pm February 2, 2009 to:

   Langley Spirit of BC
   #101 - 20611 Fraser Highway
   Langley, BC
   V3A 4G4

-  The contest is free to enter, and limited to one entry per person.

-  Essays will be judged on the following:
   -  Originality and Creativity
   -  Organization/Clarity/Logic
   -  Content/Writing Style
   -  Grammar and Spelling

-  Teachers: Please make a copy of your students essay before mailing so that they will have it if selected as a winner.

-  All essays will become the property of the Langley Spirit of BC (LSBC) upon submission and will not be returned.  LSBC is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, stolen, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, or misdirected entries.  Some or/all winning essays may be reproduced and distributed in publications.  LSBC reserves the right to edit all essays for publication.

-  By submitting an essay, the entrant agrees to allow his or her name, grade level, age, school name, and essay submission to be published in advertising and promotional material at the discretion of the LSBC Office.

-  This contest may be modified or cancelled without notice at any time by LSBC.

-  Any fraudulent information provided by participants will lead to immediate disqualification from the contest.