Middlesboro Elks Lodge #119 will host an academic quiz contest for school children on July 21.

The quiz will be in the subjects of American history and U.S. geography. Made possible by a grant from the Elks National Foundation, a total of $1,800 in Walmart gift cards will be given away as prizes. The student with the highest score will earn a $400 card and second place score a $200 card.

All students who score a passing grade will have their names entered in a drawing for 12 more $100 cards. So even if a student is not one of the top scorers, they will still have an equal chance of earning a $100 card – simply by participating and getting a passing score.

But the quiz won’t be that hard. Although some questions might be considered difficult, most won’t be and most will have four multiple choices. Examples of some possible questions are: “What is the longest river in the U.S.?”, and “What year did Columbus discover America?”.

Initially, the contest will be open only to students who attended either Middlesboro, Pineville, Bell County or Gateway Christian schools last year and will be in the 7th, 8th or 9th grades next school year and will be less than age 16 by day of contest, all of which will be subject to verification.

The contest will begin at 10 a.m. at the Elks building located at 1670 N. 25th St. in Middlesboro (a quarter-mile behind Walmart) and will be open to the first 75 students who pre-register, which must be done by a parent or guardian.

Pre-registration will be on July 14 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elks building. On that date, only students from the above-named schools are eligible to register. If all slots are not filled on that day, then registration will continue from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and will then also be open to students from Claiborne and Lee County schools.

Anyone may call 269-7055 or 248-9133 to inquire about any remaining openings. Detailed contest rules will be provided at registration, any of which will be subject to change on the day of the contest.