The deadline is fast approaching for Scotland County residents and others to submit stories about their personal heroes to a program sponsored by the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast.

"The final day we can receive your hero stories will be August 12," SACS Executive Director Jan Schmidt said. "Selected stories will be read Sept. 12 as part of an all day celebration that will take place that day at the Arts Center."

Following receipt of the applications, the stories will be read anonymously by contest judges, who will then pick the most inspiring tales to be read aloud by storytellers on the day of the event.

"If the subject of a chosen story is living, that person will be invited to attend and will receive a trophy," Schmidt said. "The author of the story will also be honored. Everyone who submits a hero story, whether theirs is chosen to be read or not, will be given a certificate."

Stories should be no more than 500 words, according to Schmidt, and be about someone the writer admires who does extraordinary acts for the community.

"And you don't have to worry about writing ability," Schmidt said. "We are looking for inspiring stories about a special person in the writer's life. If you prefer, simply list the person's attributes and what they did to make them your personal hero. We will rewrite the chosen stories into the form of a story."

To submit a story for consideration, email the entry to info@sfoc.info or send by postal mail to SACS, P.O. Box 2154, Laurinburg, NC 28353.

The Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast is located at 131 South Main Street in Laurinburg. Its mission is "to preserve and enrich storytelling arts for people of all ages through education, performances, research, workshops, and writing."

For more information about the stories or the celebration, call 291-0929 or visit www.storyarts.com.