Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: Deadline January 6, 2008
This is a great contest for seniors who can put together a writing portfolio; however, students in any grade may enter in the individual categories, which include just about every writing genre you can imagine. Recognition in this contest is prestigious. Go to the website at www.scholastic.com or www.artandwriting.org for more information. Contest categories include dramatic script, poetry, journalism, science fiction, humor, memoir, and other composition genres. There is an entry fee.
United Ebony Society of Gwinnett County MLK Essay Contest: Deadline January 14, 2008
Guidelines: 50-150 essay (that’s really short) on “The Dream, Delivering the Promise.” Laminated, typed essays should be submitted to Marlene-Taylor-Crawford, at WC Britt Elementary. This is open to all grade levels.
Georgia Poetry Society Contests for Youth Poetry: Deadline January 24, 2008
Guidelines: poetry, maximum of 32 lines; open to students grades 9-12. Poetry must be original, unpublished student work.
Manuscript specifications: All entries must be sent from the school, so if you want to enter, have your poetry to Ms. Huie in 10.103 by January 24, 2008. Poems must be typed, 12-point TNR, and not illustrated. Submit two copies of the poems, one without any author information; the copy with identification should be attached to the entry form. The entry form must be signed by a sponsoring teacher. For more information, see www.georgiapoetrysociety.org/youth_contest.htm. GPS reserves rights to the poem for publication in its anthology; if your poem is not selected for the anthology, rights revert to you!
Georgia Perimeter College: Deadline January 23, 2008
Guidelines: Poetry, essay, and fiction submissions accepted. Poetry may be 8-40 lines; fiction and essay no longer than 1000 words.
Manuscript specificiations: Each entry must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point TNR font. Students must also attach a completed entry form with signed publication release for GPC. (Entry forms available in 10.103.) Manuscripts will not be returned.
Deadline: January 23, 2008 to Ms. Huie, Room 10.103.
River of Words: Deadline February 15, 2008
Guidelines: poetry no longer than 32 lines on the theme of watersheds. (Basically, anything about water—if a student writes a good poem using water as a metaphor for the family that nurtures and supports him, it could be a winner!) This contest also recognizes art and photography related to the theme.
Manuscript specifications: see www.riverofwords.org
Leslie Walker Memorial Writing Contest: February 15, 2008
Guidelines: Any genre, no longer than 1000 words about a place. Best works will describe places in ways that help the reader understand the ways the place’s past influences the present, help the reader understand how traditions are changing for that place, or help the reader imagine the sensations of the place. All entries must be submitted by your teacher; each teacher may submit up to twenty student works. Go to the web site of the Kennesaw Mountain Writing Project for entry forms and more information.
Clark-Atlanta University Writers Competition: Late February
Reader of the Year: March 1, 2008
Guidelines: Students write a ½ to 2 page typed essay on “What Reading Means to Me” or “My Reading Autobiography.” Include references to types of work read, attitude toward reading, and amount of time spent reading weekly. Entries should be sent with a letter of recommendation from a reading or language arts teacher. See your LA teacher for more details and entry forms.
BlueNose Edutainment: May 15, 2008
Students may submit lyrics, song ideas, or interpretations to win digital cameras, laptops, iPods, iPhones, and other electronics. For more information, check www.BlueNoseEd.com
Information Submitted by Mary Lynn Huie.