Students can find 'clues in the news' in Parade contest

Teachers who use the newspaper as part of their lessons in the classroom know it makes their students brighter. And Marilyn vos Savant knows it too.

Vos Savant, a columnist in Parade, often tells her readers that newspapers are crucial for informing the public, shaping opinions and changing the world.

Now vos Savant is asking her teen-aged readers to take part in a weekly newspaper contest called "Clues in the News."

The contest is open to students ages 13 to 18 and uses sections from the newspaper as clues to the puzzle.

The contest was announced in Sunday's Parade edition which is inserted into the Southeast Missourian each week.

It's easy to play the contest, too. Students can visit www. parade.com/clues for a puzzle form that will help them piece together all the clues during the six-week contest.

Using sections of the newspaper, like Classifieds, Business or Sports, students will have to search for the answer to the clues vos Savant gives in her weekly "Ask Marilyn" column.

The clues also will be posted on the contest Web page after appearing in the column.

On the sixth week, five previous keywords will provide the solution to the puzzle.

Contestants can send in their correct answers for a chance to win $250 plus a gift bag filled with $100 worth of prizes. Ten correct submissions will be chosen at random.

Entire classrooms also are invited to play the game. Teachers can find lesson plans at www.paradeclassroom.com/marilyn. Two winning classroom entries will be chosen for a special party and prizes.

Deadline for entries is March 21. Entries can be mailed to Ask Marilyn, Parade; 711 Third Ave. New York, N.Y. 10017. Web-based entry forms can be mailed to www.parade.com/ clues.