Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast is seeking story submissions from North Carolina residents for its inaugural "American Heroes, Celebrating Americans' Strength in Story and Song," a program dedicated to the extraordinary bravery and community contributions best representing the heroism of ordinary Americans.

A panel of judges will select a variety of stories that will be featured at a public storytelling festival event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast (SACS) in Laurinburg.

The executive and artistic directors of SACS believe that "American Heroes, Celebrating Americans' Strength in Story and Song" will be a fitting memorial to the tragedy of 9/11 as well as an event honoring the heroic models of ordinary citizens.

The program aims to honor individuals whose extraordinary acts and contributions made a difference in someone's life or in a community. A panel of judges will review all submissions and make selections based on content. Writing ability will not be judged.

Selected story submissions will be performed by professional storytellers and musicians at SACS on Sept. 12 in Laurinburg. Several top entries not chosen for performance will be on display along with photos at the American Heroes festival. All entries will be posted on SACS' Web site. Each writer will receive a certificate from SACS.

SACS is looking for true stories about ordinary individuals who have done something extraordinary for other people, for a community, or for the country. Stories should reflect an act or contribution outside the writer's own family. The person should not be famous or in history books and should live or have lived in the United States.

The submission guidelines are:

n No more than 500 words, but at least 250.

n Entries must be received by Aug. 12, and may be submitted to info@sfoc.info or mailed to SACS, P.O. Box 2154, Laurinburg NC 28353.

n In addition to the "story," entries must be accompanied by a description of the person (50 words or less) including name, residence, age now (please note if deceased) and at the time the heroic event occurred, and relationship to the writer.

n Submissions must include the writer's name, full address, phone number, and email (if applicable). In addition, permission must be given for SACS' use of the story for performance, and if selected, the writer must be willing to speak with a professional storyteller via phone or in person.

"American Heroes, Celebrating Americans' Strength in Story and Song" will be Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m .at the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast, 131 S. Main Street, Laurinburg. The planned festivities include games, craft activities, food, and performances by professional storytellers and musicians. There will also be an apple pie contest.

For more information about the festival or story submissions, contact Brenda Gilbert at Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast at (910) 291-0929, or brenda@sfoc.info, or Jan Schmidt at (910) 544-9202 or jan@sfoc.info or visit www.storyarts.info.