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Contest Chart
Contests are free to enter, unless otherwise noted. January Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | Irish History Contest | 6th-8th, 9th-12th | $50-$1,000 | 6th-8th grade: Irish influence on horse races 9th-12th grade: What is the celtic tiger? | 6th-8th grade: 500-1,000 9th-12th grade: 750-1,500 | 1/5/09 | -- | The Writing Conference, Inc. Contest | Elementary, Junior high/middle school, High school | Plaque, publication in The Writers' Slate, and invitation to Celebration of Writing Reception | A poem, narrative, or essay on friendship | none | 1/8/09 | -- | The John F. Kennedy Essay Contest | 9th-12th | Prizes totaling up to $8,500, teacher of winning student receives $500 | Essay about an elected official who has demonstrated political courage | 1,000 (not including citations & bibliography) | 1/10/09 | -- | Reconnecting the Circle Essay Contest | 9th-12th | 10 $2,500 cash prizes | "Why is it important to understand patriotism in Indian Country?" | 750-1,200 | 1/23/09 | -- | Marley & Me Writing Contest | 7th-9th | 8 prizes awarded, including $50-$2,000 Best Buy gift cards, $500 donation to animal charity (grand prize only), and $100-$500 for teacher of winning student | Story from point of view of an animal | 300 | 1/30/09 | -- | Congleton Players One Act Play Competition | Ages 18 and under, ages 19 and up | 18 and under: $147 19 and up: $220 Best entries are made into a performance. | Play script | 20-30 minute play (roughly 3500-4000 words) | 1/31/09 | -- |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date February Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | Gannon University High School Poetry Contest | 9th-12th | $50-$100 | Any poem | unspecified | 2/1/09 | -- | National Peace Essay Contest | 9th-12th | $1,000-$10,000 in college scholarships; free trip to DC | How the UN and governments can better protect civilians from crimes against humanity during conflict | 1,500 | 2/1/09 | -- | IUPUI Poetry Contest | High school aged students | 7 winners get $25-$200 25 Honorable Mentions: $10 gift card | Unspecified | Unspecified | 2/2/09 | -- | The Grannie Annie Contest | Grades 4th-5th, 6th-8th (Homeschool ages 9-14) | Publication in an anthology, and 2 free copies of the anthology | Story about a family experience | 275-500 | 2/14/09*, *** | You may include one picture with your story | Go! Magazine Writing Contest | Ages 16-college age | $500 gift card to Iowa State University Bookstore (can be used online) | Short story or non-fiction article | 2,000 | 2/15/09* | -- | River of Words Poetry Contest | K-2nd, 3rd-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th (ages 5-19) | Trip to DC for the RoW Award Ceremony at The Library of Congress; ribbons, books and/or art supplies, t-shirts and other prizes | Poem about nature | 32 lines | 2/15/09* | -- | Creative Communications Essay Contest | K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50 savings bond, copy of anthology, publication | Any topic | 250 | 7/15/09, 10/15/09, 2/17/10*,*** | -- | Letters from the White House Contest | Pre-K & K, 1st-3rd grade, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | Publication; a White House book; gift package with stationary set & journal; $100 bookstore gift card | Either a letter or journal entry about an imagined or researched experience of living or working in the White House. | 350 | 2/16/09*,*** | -- | 2009 GNF Fair Bear Writing Competition (pdf) | 4th-6th (grades judged individually) | $50-$250; fair bear; trip to Georgia National Fairgrounds | "Fair Bear Goes to Washington" | 200-500 | 2/20/09* | -- | The Tribute to the Rescuers High School Essay Contest | 9th-10th, 11th-12th | $250-$750 (smaller prizes for runners-up); Teacher of winning student receives $50-$125 gift card to Barnes and Noble | An individual or group that shows moral courage | 750-1,000 | 2/26/09* | Sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League | Optimist International Essay Contest | Under age 19 as of 12/31/08 | $650-$6,000 scholarships | The Power of Youth | 400-500 | 2/28/09 | Submit to the District Chair of your local Optimist Club. Find a contact by e-mailing Programs Department. |
Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | Neuroscience For Kids Poetry Contest | K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th | Books & other prizes | A poem about your nervous system | 3-10 lines | 2/1/08** | See site for poetry type (varies by age) | Kids Philosophy Slam Contest | K-8th (one prize per grade level), 9th-12th | Over $5,000 in prizes | Is global warming the greatest challenge facing humankind? | 9th-12th: 500 (other grades not specified) | 2/1/08* | $2 fee for homeschools; $25 fee for other schools | The Comeback Kids - "Write Like Mike" Homeschool Contest | Ages 8-12 | $1,000 for your church/school; signed library of Mike Lupica's books; publishing in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine | Sports column about local/national event | 250 | 2/14/08* (2/19/08**) | Only open to full-time homeschooled students | The Tribute to the Rescuers High School Essay Contest | 9th-10th, 11th-12th | $250-$750 (smaller prizes for runners-up); Teacher of winning student receives $50-$125 gift card to Barnes and Noble | An individual or group that shows moral courage | 750-1,000 | 2/26/09 | Sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | Link Institute YouthWorker Journal | High school juniors and seniors | Publication, $75-$250, and $2,000-$4,000 annual scholarship to Huntington University | "The Church" | 1,200-1,500 | 3/1/09 | -- | American Museum of Natural History Young Naturalist Awards | 7th-12th (grades judged individually) | 8 awards per grade level ($50-$2,500) | Narrative essay on personal science-based experiences | 500-3,000 words (varies by age) | 3/2/09 | -- | Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest | 9th-12th | $300-$1,000 scholarship | "Why free news media are important" | 300-500 | 3/4/09 | -- | Fund Your Dream Essay Contest | Ages 14-18 | $1,000 toward meeting your life goals | What's the greatest obsticle you've overcome? | 500 | 3/6/09 | -- | Youth Literature Festival Writing Contest | K-5th grade (grades judged individually) | (3 prizes per grade group) $50-$100 savings bond, restraunt gift card, book Celebration in May for all participators | Story in one of many categories listed on website | 50-1,000 (varies by age) | 3/9/09 | You may include illustrations with your story | Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Novel Contest (Push Novel Contest) | 7th-12th | Gold key; work with professional editor to complete the manuscript (with possible publication) | 3-5 chapter novel | 15-50 pages | 3/13/09 | -- | Scholastic Kids Are Authors Picture Book Contest | K-8th | $500-$5,000 of merchandise, 100 copies of published book, certificate, medallion | Fiction or Nonfiction | 29 single-sided pages | 3/15/09* | Book must be done by 3 or more children as a team | National DNA Day Essay Contest | 9th-12th | (3 awards per topic) $150-$400; teacher of winning student receives a $2,000 grant for laboratory genetics equipment | The relationship between genes and traits OR the causes of human health and disease | 750 | 3/16/09*** | -- | Role Models Today Writing Contest (pdf) | 9th-12th | $100 | "One of the most important issues facing the natioin in the news today" | 750 | 3/16/09* | -- | | Ages 15 and under, ages 16 and up | (13 winners in each category) $900+ worth of homeschool courses & materials, $100 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store, publication | Adults (16+): Stirring fiction to encourage homeschoolers Kids (15-): Creative story | Adults: 2,500 Kids: 1,500 | 3/16/09*** | $7.95 entry fee | It's All Write! Short Story Writing Contest | 6th-8th, 9th-10th, 11th-12th | $100-$250 | A short story | 4-10 double spaced/1.5 single-sided pages | 3/20/09*** | -- | Concern Creative Writing Competition | Ages 12-15, 16-18, 19+ | To be determined; 2008 prizes included laptops, iPods, National Geographic magazine subscription, and invitation to conference | Chose from 1 of 3 topics: 1) Child labor 2) Climate change and the developing world 3) World hunger | 1,000-1,500 words (varies by age) | 3/22/09*** | -- | Lexington Family Magazine Writing Contest | K-1st, 2nd-3rd, 4th-5th | (1 girl winner and 1 boy winner) Either American Girl doll, model horse collection, or package of games | "The person I would most like to meet is..." | 100 | 3/27/09*,*** | -- | Laws of Life Essay Contest | 5th-8th, 9th-12th | 5-8: $100-$500, 9-12: $500-$1,500 | A character trait. | 600-1,200 | 3/27/09* | Many teacher helps on website | Listen to a Life Contest | Ages 8-18 | Grand Prize: computer with $800 of software; iPod; $25,000 of software for school 20 runners-up: $400 of software and an iPod shuffle | Essay based on interview with older person (age 50+) | 300 | 3/30/09 | -- | The Germans from Russia Heritage Society Youth Essay Contest | 6th-8th, 9th-12th, University or College Undergrad | $100-$150 plus trophy, $250-$750 scholarship | Any aspect of German Russian heritage | Unspecified | 3/31/09 | -- | World Future Society High School Essay Contest | 9th-12th | $100-$300; 1-3 year membership in WFS; free admission to Chicago conference | Technology, environment, society, economics, government, or demographics | 600-1,200 | 3/31/09*** | -- | Jack L. Chalker Young Writers' Contest | Ages 14-18 as of 5/29 of contest year | $75-$150 | Science fiction/fantasy | 2,500 | 3/31 of each year | Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | "Hey, What's the Big(gest) Idea" Scholastic Contest | 3rd-6th | 10 winners each get 3 science kits valued @ $50 | "Of all the inventions in the World, which one has been the most important and why?" | 1 page | 4/3/09** | -- | Ford Freedom Award Essay Contest | 4th-8th | $250-$5,000 savings bond (5 winners) | News article about event in 2008 and its impact on the world | Two double-spaced pages | 4/3/09** | -- | Creative Communications Poetry Contest | K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50 savings bonds, free anthologies | Open | 21 lines | 8/18/09, 12/10/09, 4/13/10*,*** | -- | "What's So Funny?" Scholastic Poetry Contest | 3rd-6th | 25 winners get a library of humor & poetry books | Poem that describes something about you in a funny way | Unspecified | 4/15/09** | -- | American Foreign Service Association Essay Contest | 9th-12th | $2500; $500 for your school; free trip to nation's capitol for you & your parents | Challenges facing the American Foreign Service in the 21st century | 750-1,000 | 4/15/09* | -- | Oakseed Ministries' Essay Contest | Ages 17 and under, ages 18-22 | $250-$1,000 | "Compassion and the Lost Childhood" (Chose one of seven topics to write on) | 17 & under: 5,000 characters 18-22: 7,500 characters | 4/15/09 | -- | Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Contest | Ages 16-18 | $1,000 scholarship & $700 worth of books for your public library | 4 options based on Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte | 2-3 double-spaced pages | 4/15/09* | -- | Great Woman in History Scholastic Contest | 2nd-3rd, 4th-6th | 5 winners get pizza party & Great Women in History library | "If you could meet the woman in history you find most interesting and inspiring, who would it be and why?" | 1 page | 4/23/09** | -- | RDS McWilliams Young Science Writers' Competion | Ages 12-13, 14-16, 17-19 | Laptops, digital camcorders, 100-200 euros ($130-$260) | Science based article, interview, or story | 3,000 | 4/24/09*** | -- | 7 Reasons I Love My Mom Contest | Ages 7-13 | Gift basket to create gift for your mom | "7 reasons I love my mom" | Open | 4/29/09* | Submit a photo of you & your mom with your entry | Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest | 9th-12th | $300-$500 cash; trip to DC; $2,500-$10,000 in scholarships | Lessons from the Holocaust | 1,200 | 4/30/09 | -- | 2009 Sejong Essay Writing Competition | 8th and younger, 9th-12th | Older division: $300-$500 Younger division: $100-$300 | Comparison between Korean folk tale and American fairy tale (see website) | 1,000 | 4/30/09*** | -- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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May Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | Jane Austen Society Writing Contest | High School | $250, Jane Austen novel, membership in Jane Austen association, and more | Sibling relationships in Jane Austen novels | ? | 5/1/09 | -- | Merlyn's Pen Essay Contest | 6th-8th, 9th-12th | $25-$100 and Merlyn's Pen books | Personal narratives | 2,000 | 5/1/09 | -- | Samsung "Thinking Ahead" High School Student Scholarship Program | High School | Seven $1,000 scholarships | Technology advancements & how they will change us | 500 | 5/1/09*** | Must live in the US | Young Voices of America Rewrite Mom and Dad Writing Contest | K-5th | $300 | Creative story about aliens playing prank on your family (see site for details) | 1,000 | 5/4/09 | -- | Elora Writers' Festival 2009 Writing Competition | 13-19, 12 and under | $25-$75 | Two categories: Short story/poetry | Story: 2,000 Poem: 1-3 poems, 75 words max | 5/8/09 | -- | Norman Mailer High School and College Writing Awards | High school | $5,000 & expense paid trip to national awards ceremony | Creative Nonfiction | 10 single-spaced pages | 5/10/09 | -- | Wacky Dream Story Contest | Ages 17 and under | $10 gift card to store of your choice, publication in magazine, autographed books/posters, and a "Dream Share button" | A wacky dream you or a character in your story had | 1,200 | 5/30/09 | -- | Mothers' Day Gift Idea Contest | Open | 4 lb retro candy | The story of a Mothers' Day gift you gave your mom | Open | 5/30/09 | Entries with photos are given special attention. | Youth Eco Writing Contest | Ages 6-16 | Inclusion of your Ocean Protector character in a book, autographed copy of that book | Answer both questions: 1) Why is it important to save oceans? 2) If you were an Ocean Protector, what creature would you be, what power would you have, and why? | 250/question | 5/31/09 | -- | Social Impact of Computing Schubmehl-Prein Contest | High school juniors | $250-$1,000 | Social and ethical implications of the $100 laptop | 10 pages (about 2,500 words) | 5/31/09 | -- |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date June Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | HSLDA Poetry Contest | Ages 7-10, 11-14, 15-19 | $25-$200 | Poem on one of quotes on site. | 1 single spaced page | 6/1/09* | $10-$15 fee used toward prizes & special needs children fund | The Claudia Ann Seaman Poetry Award
for Young Writers | 9th-12th | $500 and publication in literary journal | Poem on any topic, in any style | Any length under 10 pages for 2 poems | 6/1/09** | -- | Fire Escape Writing Contest | Ages 13-19 | $15-$50 | Poem/short story on any topic | 800 | 6/1/09*** | You must be from another country or have at least 1 birth parent born outside North America (and live in US/Canada yourself). | Fraser Institute Essay Contest | High school | $250 | "Economic Freedom and Global Prosperity" | 1,000-1,500 | 6/1/09*,*** | -- | 7 Reasons I Love My Dad Contest | Ages 7-9, 10-12 | $50 Amazon gift card for your dad | "7 reasons I love my dad" | Open | 6/6/09* | Include a photo of you & your dad with your entry | Subway Make It Happen! Contest | PreK-8th | $5,000 athletic equipment for school, Scholastic gift baskets ($100-$500 value), $100 Subway® gift card | How you eat healthy, stay active, or limit recreational screen time. | 500 | 6/30/09*** | First 1,000 entries w/ Subway receipt code get free Scholastic book. |
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Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadlines | Comments | Creative Communications Essay Contest | K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50 savings bond, copy of anthology, publication | Any topic | 250 | 7/15/09, 10/15/09, 2/17/10*,*** | -- |
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August Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | City Kidz Short Story Contest | 9th-12th | $50 restaurant gift card, lifetime magazine subscription, publication | Any short story | At least 500 words | 8/1/09*** | (Scroll to bottom of page for contest info) | Creative Communications Poetry Contest | K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50 savings bonds, free anthologies | Open | 21 lines | 8/18/09, 12/10/09, 4/13/10*,*** | -- | Girls Horse Club Fiction Competition | Ages 11 and under; ages 12-17 | Prize packages including t-shirts, CDs, autographed books, dolls, and more, all having to do with horses. List of prizes | Narrative fiction (not poetry) with a horse as a main character | 6,000 | 8/23/09*** | 3 winners per age category | "The Early Bird Catches the Worm" Scholarship Essay Contest | Rising seniors | $500, essay review services (valued @ $200) | Which cliché (common or not so well-known) best describes you, or a turning point in your life? | 500 | 8/28/09*** | -- | | | | | | | |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date September Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | The True Patriot National Essay Contest | High school | $25,000 college scholarship | What does true patriotism mean to you? | 1500 | 9/1/08*, *** | -- | The Big Write | 4th & 5th, 6th-8th | $25-$100 | Story beginning with the line, "It all began when someone left the window open." | 250-500 | 9/12/08* | -- | Diamante Poetry Contest | Ages 8-17 | $10 Barnes & Noble gift card, $10 WriteShop gift card, posters for the runners-up | A diamante poem | See guidelines on site (you may enter up to 3 poems) | 9/17/08 | Sponsored by WriteShop |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date October Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | The Book Arts Bash | K-2nd, 3rd-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th, and adult | "The usual stuff you can hold in your hand plus invaluable critiques from people in the writing and illustrating biz" | 20 categories: blog, picture book, fiction, drama, more | Depends on category | 10/1/08** | For homeschooled students or parents only | Creative Communications Essay Contest | K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50 savings bond, copy of anthology, publication | Any topic | 250 | 7/15/09, 10/15/09, 2/17/10*,*** | -- | Good Story Contest for Young Writers | Under age 20 | Free online writing and publishing classes; publication of winning book | Open | About 200-1,000 words | 10/21/08 | -- | The White Envelope Art of Giving Essay Contest | 6th-8th, 9th-12th | Giving Certificate allowing winner to donate $150 to charity of his choice, $150 cash, plaque | The importance of giving, the best “white envelope” gift someone could give this year, or how the next generation can make a difference | 4 pages (12 point font, double spaced) | 10/31/08 | Prizes awarded for art and writing individualy in each grade group (four divisions total) | Jonathan Friesen Reclaim the Name Writing Contest | Ages 15 and under, ages 16-20 | $100-$1,000, coaching, promotional assistance | Short story about a character who discovers, through a personal journey, who he/she truly is | 3,000 | 10/31/08 | -- | "Education Matters" Scholarship Contest | Ages 13 thru college | $5K scholarship | “What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn't matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?” | 250 | 10/31/08 | -- | Girls Gone Great Scholarship Essay Contest | 11th-12th | $1000 scholarship | Making a difference in your community | 800 | 10/31/08*** | Girls only. Must also include a reference letter from a non-family member. |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date November Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | HSLDA Essay Contest | Ages 7-10, 11-14, 15-19 | $25-$200 | An essay arguing for or against one of the proverbs given on the website | 700 | 11/1/08* | For homeschooled students only. $10-$15 fee used toward prizes & special needs children fund | Patriot's Pen Essay Contest | 6th-8th | $1,000-$10,000 savings bond & trip to D.C | Why America's Veterans Should Be Honored | 300-400 | 11/1/08** | -- | Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest | 9th-12th | $1,000-$30,000 and a free trip to Washington, D.C. | Service and Sacrifice by America's Veterans Benefit Today's Youth by... | 3-5 minute audio essay | 11/1/08** | Sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States | Write Foundations | 5-8th grade and 9-12th grade | MP3 player, $25 gift certificates to Amazon | Why Do Americans Vote? | 500-800 | 11/1/08*** | | Young Voices of America Speak Their Muse Essay Contest | 3rd-7th, 8th-12th | $25-$75 | Poem in the form of one of the options in the Writers Guidelines | Unspecified | 11/1/08 | Many teacher helps on site | 2008 Countdown to Election Day Essay Contest | Ages 8-10, 11-14, 15-18 | $100-$250, subscriptions to magazine | Essays about political issues/ decisions (see site for details) | Unspecified | 11/4/08 | -- | NABE "Being "Bilingual" Essay Contest | 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-11th | $1,000-$2,000 | Choose from several bilingual-related topics | 150-500 (varies by age) | 11/7/08 | Must be enrolled in a foreign language course or in a bilingual or native-language supported classroom (and must have a B academic average) | Speakable Gifts Writing Contest | 2nd-4th, 5th-6th | $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble; certificate | Response to an Aesop's Fable or poem on the website | 100-200 words, depending on age group | 11/15/08** (***) | -- | FIRE’s “Freedom in Academia” Essay Contest | High school | $2,500-$5,000 college scholarships | Why free speech and First Amendment rights are crucial to higher education and how abuses of these rights harm education | 700 - 1200 | 11/20/08 | -- | Patrick Henry College Call to Pens Short Story Competition | Ages 12-15, 16-18 | $25-$200 | Ages 12-15: short story with theme of "Pursuit of Purpose" Ages 16-18: short story with theme of "Joy in Pain" | 1,500-2,500 (varies by age) | 11/30/08 | $10/story entry fee |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date December Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | | FRA Americanism Essay Contest | 7th-12th (winners in each grade) | $2,000-$15,000 in savings bonds | Theme announced each spring | 350 | 12/1/08 | Must submit to local Branch Americanism Chairman. See website to find local branches. | "Being an American" Essay Contest | Ages 12-19 | $250-$5,000 (for student) $250-$5,000 (for teacher) Free trip to D.C. for awards ceremony | "What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?" | 750 | 12/1/08 | -- | Drexel University High School Ten-Page Playwriting Contest | Junior or senior in high school | =$1-5K Scholarship | Any play | 3-10 pages | 12/1/08 | -- | | GreenLight Contest | 5th-8th, 9th-12th | Laptop computers | Describe a program for how students and teachers can use technology to protect the environment | 1,000 | 12/1/08** | -- | | Simon & Schuster "I Can Save the Earth!" Essay Contest | Ages 5-10 | Eco-friendly books from Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, stickers, tree planting | How you're helping to save the environment | 300 | 12/1/08 | Random drawing for prize | | NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Writing Contest | K-9th, 10th-12th | $100-$1,000 in savings bonds | “The Second Amendment to the Constitution: Why it is important to our nation.” | About 1,000 | 12/1/08 | -- | | Pasta Tales Essay Contest | 1st-12th (judged by individual grade levels) | Grand Prize: $2500 savings bond and trip to NY City; Each grade level winner: $500 savings bonds and free family dinner | “How would you use the Internet to change your community for the better?” | 50-250 | 12/19/08 | Sponsored by Olive Garden Restaurants | | Letters About Literature | 4th-6th, 7th & 8th, 9th-12th | $100-$500 Target gift cards and $1K-$10K for library | Letter to any author, living or dead | 100-800 (varies by age) | 12/6/08* | -- | Creative Communications Poetry Contest | K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50 savings bonds, free anthologies | Open | 21 lines | 8/18/09, 12/10/09, 4/13/10*,*** | -- | Shankar's International Children's Competition | Under age 16 | Gold medals, silver medals, certificates of merit | poems, plays, short stories, essays, descriptive writing, and the like; any topic | unspecified | 12/31/08 | May submit up to 6 entries. Must be in English. |
back to top *Postmarked date **Received date (US mail) ***E-mail date Unspecified Date/Ongoing Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards | 7th-8th, 9th-12th | Pins, certificates, publication opportunity, some regional cash/scholarships | Eleven different writing styles (click here for more information) | Varies depending on which style of writing you do | Vary by location; see their deadline page | Some teacher prizes offered as well |
Contest | Grade Groups | Prizes | Topic | Word Max | Deadline | Comments | Tiger Woods Foundation Fist Pump Challenge | Ages 13-18 | iPod, Tiger Woods video game, $25 Target gift card, book | Any positive personal goal you've reached | Minimum 100 words | ongoing (monthly winners) | May submit video or essay entry | National History Day Contest | 6th-8th, 9th-12th | Up to $5,000 in scholarships | Contact your state coordinator | Contact your state coordinator | Varies by state; Most contests end in mid-late April | Research can be presented as exhibits, documentaries, performances or papers, individually or in small groups | American History Essay Contest | 5th-8th, Individual grade level competitions | Cash & certificates | Message and modern relevance of Gettysburg Address | Grade 5: 300 - 600 Grades 6, 7, and 8: 600 - 1,000 | Contact local chapter (search online by your state) | Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution Society | Christopher Columbus Essay Contest | 9th-12th, Individual grade level competitions | $300-$1,200 and free trip to D.C. | "Five perils that challenged Christopher Columbus" | 750 | Contact local chapter (search online by your state) | Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution Society | Stone Soup Publishers Writing Program | Ages 13 and under | $40; Publication; 2 copies of magazine; discounts on other purchases | Stories and poems; any topic | 2,500 | None | -- |
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