The Bainbridge Island Republican Women encourage island students to enter their essay contest, “What America Means To Me.”

The contest winner will receive a cash prize of $350, plus an invitation to read the winning essay at the Bainbridge Island Republican Women’s Summer Soiree in July.

The contest is open to students in grades seven through 12 who live on Bainbridge or attend school on the island. The deadline is May 15.

For contest details, students may contact Anne Air at 206-451-4232 or visit the website, www.bainbridgeislandrepublicanwomen.org.

Since the club’s inception, its members have continually striven to increase their outreach to the community. The club is a supporter of the Wounded Warriors, with a $1,500 donation in December 2012. Members donate breakfast cereal for a monthly donation to Helpline House. The organization also raises funds to support local Republican candidates standing for election to local, county and statewide office.

Bainbridge Island Republican Women meet at 11 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at the Wing Point Golf & County Club, and interested women and men are warmly invited to attend. Speakers at the address a variety of topics. Most recently, Dr. Roger Stark of the Washington Policy Center spoke on the Affordable Care Act.