I am so proud of my former student, “E. Regina.” I worked with her for about three years, and she is now working on her fifth book! She also won a 24-hour short story contest. (I didn’t work with her on the story. She did that on her own. They grow up so fast!)
She is bound and determined to get published and I have no doubt she will achieve her dream. She writes: “I want to break the boundaries of what people believe teens are capable of.” Love it. Check out her blog! It’s full of fine writing and very good advice. You can read her award-winning short story here.
E. Regina, writer, teen
The following national essay contests are coming up. Feeling inspired? Maybe not? Either way I’m here to help, if you need it.
Courage when it matters
1. Sponsored by the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, the prestigious Profiles in Courage Essay Contest invites United States high school students “to consider the concept of political courage by writing an essay on a U.S. elected official who has chosen to do what is right, rather than what is expedient.”
Due Date: January 7, 2013
Award: $10,000 scholarship
2. The National Right to Life Pro-Life Essay Contest is right around the corner.
Essay Topic: Why I Am Pro-Life.
Due Date: January 18, 2013
First place: $200
3. Sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace, the National Peace Essay Contest “promotes serious discussion among high school students, teachers, and national leaders about international peace and conflict resolution today and in the future.”
Essay Topic: “What does it mean to have a gendered approach to war and peace issues?” (Psst! There is a study guide available for this one at their website.)
Due Date: February 1, 2013
Award: State winners will receive scholarships and will come to Washington for an educational awards program.
4. This national essay contest for high schoolers, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists, would be a good one to submit to if you plan on majoring in journalism!
Essay Topic: “Why is it important that we have news media that are independent of the government?”
Due Date: March 7, 2013
First Place Award: $1,000 scholarship
Essay contest alert!
New York Times op-ed columnist, Nicholas Kristof, has announced an essay contest on bullying in conjunction with Teen Ink magazine. This has been a hot topic lately among my students and in the media at large. One of my students in Japan has been working on a very brave essay about bullying, which he says is pretty bad at his school Apparently, it is not just an “American thing.” Hopefully, this contest will provoke some good thought, discussion and exchange.
Due date is April 30. 500 word limit.
Img Credit: teenink.com