function validate_required(field,alerttxt)
{
with (field)
{
if (value==null||value=="")
  {alert(alerttxt);return false;}
else {return true}
}
}

function validate_form(thisform)
{
with (thisform)
{
if (validate_required(input_date,"Start Date must be filled out!")==false)
  {input_date.focus();return false;}
if (validate_required(HeaderText,"Contest Name must be filled out!")==false)
  {HeaderText.focus();return false;}
if (validate_required(Answer,"Answer must be filled out!")==false)
  {Answer.focus();return false;}
}
}