The Harlem Ambassadors are the next generation to the world-famous team, the Harlem Globetrotters. They will be in Altus Feb. 1 and the Altus Times is hosting an essay writing contest for Jackson County students to win tickets to see them. The subject matter and title of each essay will be: "Why I would like to see the Harlem Ambassadors."

Each winner will receive a ticket to the Harlem Ambassadors show on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. The Ambassadors basketball team will be appearing at the Altus High School gym as a benefit for the Southwest Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross.

There will be three contest categories for Jackson County students, who may be enrolled in any public, private or home school. Two winners, one female, and one male will be selected from each category.

Elementary will be grades 1 through 4, Intermediary will include grades 5 through 8, and Secondary will be grades 9-12.

Essays must be the original work of the student, including his or her own thoughts, with correct grammar and spelling. Words must be spelled out, with common abbreviations only. Essays are to be printed by hand. No photo copies will be accepted. Essays are limited to 500 words, though a well-written essay on the subject may have less words.

A separate cover sheet for each essay will include the following information: student name, contest category, student school, grade and teacher, and student contact telephone number.

Essays must be turned in to the Altus Times at 218 W. Commerce St., Altus, OK by Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 5 p.m., or postmarked by that same date to the Altus Times, PO Box 578, Altus, OK 73522. Teachers or school staff may submit essays for students.

Winning students will be notified by telephone using the student contact telephone numbers by Wednesday, Jan. 27. Tickets will be awarded by the Altus Times on Thursday, Jan. 28. Winning essays, and their authors' names, will appear in the Sunday, Jan. 31 edition of the Altus Times.