GOSHEN, Ind. - Community members are invited to attend an awards ceremony for the Goshen's second annual essay contest, highlighting principles of the city's Community Relations Commission, on April 18 at 6 p.m.

The free event will be held Schrock Pavilion inside Shanklin Park, located at 411 W. Plymouth Ave. 

The ceremony celebrates the winners of the city's annual writing contest. All Goshen students in junior high through senior high school were challenged to write prompts discussing one of the eight CRC principles, which include the following:

• Honor the dignity of each person and each person’s rights
• Listen to the diverse voices of the community
• Cultivate constructive communication and engagement
• Value honesty, truthfulness, and integrity
• Promote a community that is safe for all
• Acknowledge and accept the challenge of change - that it may have both positive and negative consequences
• Promote the acceptance of differences
• Promote equality and freedom from discrimination

Students who wrote an essay were separated into two categories, grades 7th through 8th and grades 9th through 12th, with first, second and third place winners chosen from each category.

Winners of the categories receive up to $150 in cash.

The event starts with a meet and greet at 6 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m.

Copies of the submitted essays will be available to read before the awards ceremony.

Anyone interested in reading the essays right now can visit the city's website.