Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE - If you're a third- to fifth-grader whose ZIP code is 30024 and who knows what makes Suwanee great, then the city has a contest for you.

Suwanee is soliciting entries from students who can write a short essay on topics such as "I like living in Suwanee because ...," "To build a better Suwanee for tomorrow, today we need to ...," and "When I think about Suwanee's future, I see a community ..."

Winners will be required to read their entries, which should be no more than 300 words, at the Nov. 13 groundbreaking ceremony for City Hall, city officials said.

When city staff was brainstorming ideas about the groundbreaking, they tried to develop ideas that would demonstrate that the new City Hall is for the Suwanee of the future, said Lynne DeWilde, the city's spokeswoman.

"We thought that having children participate in some meaningful way would be a good way to represent that," DeWilde said.

In addition, the six winners will represent the Suwanee City Council of the future, participate in the groundbreaking and be featured in photos with the current City Council members.

The new City Hall, which will cost $7,143,420, will be constructed behind the fountain at Town Center Park. The new building will give government employees more room and allow the Suwanee Police Department to expand.

Students who attend Level Creek, Parsons, Riverside or Suwanee elementary schools, or who live in Suwanee but attend a private school or are home-schooled, may participate in the contest.

Entries are due by 4 p.m. Friday at Suwanee City Hall at 373 Buford Highway.

Additional guidelines and an entry form are available online at www.suwanee.com.

SideBar:

What: Writing contest for third- to fifth-grade students living in ZIP code 30024 who attend Level Creek, Parsons, Riverside or Suwanee elementary schools, along with students who go to private school or who are home-schooled

When: Deadline is 4 p.m. Friday

Where: Entries should be submitted to Suwanee City Hall at 373 Buford Highway

For more information: Visit www.suwanee.com.