Students are invited to compete for a $1,000 grant by entering the 13th Annual Tom Pettit Thanksgiving Essay competition.

The contest asks students to reflect on positive aspects of their lives and write a compelling essay in 500 words or less, explaining what they are grateful for. The winner receives the grand prize.

Six others will be awarded $500 grants, with a matching grant awarded to each of their schools. Entitled 'Why I am Thankful', the competition has awarded more than $60,000 in prizes since its inception in 1997.

It was created by Patricia Pettit and named after her late husband. Tom Pettit was an award-winning NBC TV journalist who lived on the Island briefly.

The competition aims to inspire the journalists of tomorrow. It will be judged this year by Attorney General Kim Wilson, Bermuda Sun sub-editor Sirkka Huish, former librarian Florenz Maxwell and Jessie Moniz, a lifestyle reporter for The Royal Gazette.

The essay deadline is 4.30 p.m. November 2. Entries must be submitted to the Rosedon Hotel in Pembroke.