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Contest Chart

Sign up for our Free Deadline Reminder!
Contests are free to enter, unless otherwise noted.
 

 

February 2010

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

Gannon University High School Poetry Contest

9th-12th $50-$100Any poem unspecified2/1/2010--

Broken Bridge High School Poetry Contest

9th-12th$150, publicationA poemunspecified2/1/09***May submit up to 3 poems

National Peace Essay Contest

9th-12th

Unspecified

 

Last year's prize: $1,000-$10,000 in college scholarships; free trip to DC

How nonviolent civic actions can achieve justice, end conflict or lead to positive change

1,500

2/1/2010--

Neuroscience For Kids Poetry Contest

 

K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th

A book

A poem about your nervous system 

3-10 lines 

2/1/10**

See site for poetry type (varies by age) 

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

2/1/2010*, ***

You may include one picture with your story

The Paul A. Witty Outstanding Literature Award

K-12th

$50

Poetry or prose

Poetry: 5 poems

 

Prose: 1000 for elementary, (no limit for secondary)

2/2/10*

--

Publish-a-Kid Writing Contest

Ages 9-13Publication and unspecified prizesWrite a review of one of their listed books250-500 2/15/10***--

Creative Communications Essay Contest

 

K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th

 $50 savings bond, copy of anthology, publicationAny topic 250

2/17/10*,***

--

Igniting Creative Energy

K-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th Free trip to DC, participation in National Energy Efficiency Forum, sharing your ideas with energy and government leadersNew and creative ways to make wise energy choices500 2/19/10*May be entered as a group 

College Plus! College Scholarship Essay Contest

Ages 15 and up (homeschoolers only)

Winners receive $2699 scholarship

 

Every participant gets a $250

scholarship

“How Would You Revolutionize Higher Education?”750-10002/22/10***

Can submit a video instead to get a free

iTunes $5 gift card and qualify to win a Flip Mino HD

digital camcorder

The Leslie and Norman Davis Student Essay Contest

7th-9th, 10th-12th$100-$500An individual or group that showed moral courage750-10002/26/10 @ 5:00 pm--

Optimist International Essay Contest

Under age 19 as of 12/31/09

$2,250-$6,000The Internet: Today's Evolution or Tomorrow's Menace?400-500All club contests held on or before 2/28/10Submit to the District Chair of your local Optimist Club. Find a contact by e-mailing Programs Department.
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*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date 

 
  
 
March 2010

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest

 K-3rd (individual grade level judging) Laptop, digital camera, mp3 playerAn illustrated story on any topic

K-1st:

50-100

2nd-5th: 100-350

Deadlines vary by station; most are in March

 

Apply through local PBS station (see site for details)

You must include at least 5 colorful illustrations with your story

Kentucky State Poetry Society Student Contest

3rd-4th, 5th-6th, 7th-8th, 9th-10th, 11th-12th$10-$55 Any topic. Must have some poetic elements (e.g.,  imagery, simile, metaphor, rhyme, rhythm)30 lines or less  3/1/10Open to students in any state, not just KY

Breaking Barriers Essay Contest

 4th-8thTrip to Major League Baseball All-Star Game in CA, laptop computers for you and your teacher, visit from daughter of Jackie Robinson, and a class set of her bookHow you used one of Jackie Robinson's values to face barrier3/1/10*Helps on website

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)

3/1/10**

--

Will McDonough Writing Contest

4th-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-10th, 11th-12th$100 savings bond and tickets to a Boston Celtics gameFiction or non-fiction on one of three topics on website (all related to sports and character)300-700 (varies by age)3/2/10*--

"Past, Present, and Future" Letter Writing Contest

3th-6th

$1000 savings bond, 25-book history library 

Letter to an important historical figure about a modern-day issueNone3/5/10**--

"How to Deal With Bullies" Contest

Classroom visit from author Abby Klein; library of her books 2nd-3thWrite a list of suggestions for dealing with bullies and getting along with othersNone3/5/10**--

Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest

9th-12th$300-$1,000 scholarship"Why free news media are important"  300-5003/5/10--

"If I Were President..." Scholastic Contest

 4th-6th Free trip for 2 to DC, 25-book libraryWhat you would do if you were president of the United States 2 single-spaced pages  3/5/10**-- 

Veritas Press Epistula Writing Contest

High school or younger$100 gift certificate to Veritas Press Article on topic appropriate for April Fool's Day800-12003/12/10 at 5:00 p.m.***--

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Novel Contest

(Push Novel Contest)

7th-12th

$2500 in scholarships for summer art & writing camps; $10,000 college scholarships; gold key; work with professional editor to complete the manuscript; possible publication

3-5 chapter novel3-5 chapters (15-50 pages)3/12/10*--

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 

 

3/15/10*

Book must be done by 3 or more children as a team 

Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest

1st-8th $250-$1000 plus free trip to DC n/an/a 3/15/10*Only open to students who use Zaner-Bloser curriculum

The One of a Kind Homeschool Writing Contest

Ages 7-11, 12-16$25 savings bondWrite an interesting introduction and conclusion for a given essay outline
100-4003/15/10*** All entries will be posted on the website

2010 Norm Strung Youth Writing Contest

6th-8th, 9th-12thAwards will total $1,700Poem/prose on outdoor-related subject3/15/10**Work must have been published in a newsletter, newspaper, magazine, literary collection, etc. during 2009.

National DNA Day Essay Contest

9th-12th$150-$400, and $2000 grant for classroom teacher for lab equipmentChoice of 2 topics on DNA research and genetic testing7503/15/10 at  5:00 pm***--

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*

 

(2010 INFO NOT POSTED YET)

--

The Dickens Project Essay Contest

9th-12thWeek-long literature conference for student and teacherRespond to a Dickens novel by analyzing any topic/theme3-5 pages3/19/10*--

It's All Write! Short Story Writing Contest

6th-8th, 9th-10th, 11th-12th$100-$250A short story4-10 double spaced/1.5 single-sided pages

3/19/10***

--

Keep the Drive High School Journalism Awards

Ages 13-18$500-$3000 cash An article on the dangers of texting while drivingNone3/20/10**/***

The article must have been published in a high school or local newspaper between 11/5/09 and 3/20/10.

 

For specific homeschool directions, click here

Concern Creative Writing Competition

Ages 12-15, 16-18, 19+Netbook, e-reader, mp3 player

An imagined speech you would give to world leaders in the UN General Assembly on a goal to reach in helping the developing world

1,000-1,500 words (varies by age)

3/21/10***

--

The Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition

 7th-12th$50, publicationNoneNone3/25/10**May submit up to 3 haiku

Listen to a Life Contest

Ages 8-18

Grand Prize:

computer with $800 of software; $25,000 of software for school

 

20 runners-up:

$400 of software and an mp3 player

A true story about an older person's life, based on an interview with that person

3003/29/10***--

Leonard Milberg '53 Secondary School Poetry Prize

11th grade only$100-$500A poem

None; but may submit up to 3 poems

3/29/10*Sponsored by Princeton University's Program in Creative Writing

American River College High School Writing Contest

9th-12th$50 and possible publication 

Poetry, fiction/short story, personal essay (memoir, autobiography, nature writing)

Poetry: 50 lines

 

Fiction/short story: 2,000 words

 

Personal essay: 2,000

3/30/10*-- 

The Germans from Russia Heritage Society Youth Essay Contest

6th-8th, 9th-12th, University or College UndergradTrophy plus $100-$250 ($1000 for the university level)Any aspect of German Russian heritage or historyUnspecified3/31/10--

World Future Society High School Essay Contest

9th-12th$100-$300; 1-3 year membership in WFS; free admission to Chicago conferenceTechnology, environment, society, economics, government, or demographics600-1,200

3/31/09***

 

(2010 INFO NOT POSTED YET)

--

Jack L. Chalker Young Writers' Contest

Ages 14-18 as of 5/29 of contest year 

$75-$150, book, t-shirt

Science fiction/fantasy

2,500

3/31/10

Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society

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*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

 

 

 
April 2010

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest

9th-12th

$250-$500 cash; free trip to Los Angeles; $2,000-$5,000 in scholarships 

Lessons from the Holocaust

 1,200

4/2/10 ** 

 --

Creative Communications Poetry Contest

 K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th $50 savings bonds, free anthologies Open21 lines4/13/10*,*** --

VSA arts Playwright Discovery Program

6th-12th$2,000 and trip to DC to see your play performed at JFK Center for the Performing ArtsAny one-act playUnder 40 pages4/15/10**May be submitted by an individual or a group

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

4/15/10*

--

Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Contest

Ages 16-18

$1,000 scholarship & $1,600 worth of books for your public library

5 options based on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

2-3 double-spaced pages

4/15/10*, 4/22/10**

--

Air and Waste Management Association High School Essay Contest

Grade 12 and under (but aimed at high school) $400 and publication Energy and the Environment: Changing our Communities, our Schools, and our World 5 pages including text and references4/22/10***--

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 story3,000

4/24/09***

 

(2010 INFO NOT POSTED YET)

--

7 Reasons I Love My Mom Contest

Ages 7-13Gift basket to create gift for your mom"7 reasons I love my mom"Open

4/29/09*

 

(2010 INFO NOT POSTED YET)

Submit a photo of you & your mom with your entry

Odes to Olympians Contest

Under age 18$50 cashPoem about Hermes (Mercury)30 lines4/30/10***-- 

Pierre Toussaint Essay Writing Contest

High school students$250-$1250Pierre Toussaint, an enslaved Haitian brought to New York in 1787, who later performed many charitable and heroic acts15004/30/10--

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***

 

(2010 INFO NOT POSTED YET)

--

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***E-mail date

 

 

Why do the contests below have old dates?

Most contests repeat annually, so old contests

are left here until the new ones become available.

 
 
May  2009

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

Oakseed Ministries' Essay Contest

Ages 17 and under, ages 18-22

$250-$1,000 

"Compassion and the Lost Childhood" 

17 & under: 5,000 characters

 

18-22: 7,500

characters 

 5/1/10*5/1/10*

Jane Austen Society Writing Contest

High School$250, Jane Austen novel, membership in Jane Austen association, and moreSibling relationships in Jane Austen novels?5/1/09--

Merlyn's Pen Essay Contest

6th-8th, 9th-12th$25-$100 and Merlyn's Pen booksPersonal narratives2,0005/1/09--

Samsung "Thinking Ahead" High School Student Scholarship Program

High SchoolSeven $1,000 scholarships Technology advancements & how they will change us5005/1/09***Must live in the US

Young Voices of America Rewrite Mom and Dad Writing Contest

K-5th $300Creative story about aliens playing prank on your family (see site for details) 1,0005/4/09 --

Elora Writers' Festival 2009 Writing Competition

13-19, 12 and under$25-$75Two 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 ceremonyCreative Nonfiction10 single-spaced pages5/10/09--

Amazing Kids Launch My Dream! T-Shirt Design and Essay Contest

Ages 5-17Your t-shirt design will be sold as a charity fundraiser; Free t-shirt; Razor Pro Model ScooterDesign a t-shirt and write a short essay to tell the world about your dream for the future1-2 paragraphs5/15/10*-- 

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 had1,2005/30/09--

Mothers' Day Gift Idea Contest

Open4 lb retro candyThe story of a Mothers' Day gift you gave your momOpen5/30/09Entries with photos are given special attention.

Youth Eco Writing Contest

Ages 6-16Inclusion 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/question5/31/09--

The Schubmehl-Prein Prize for Best Essay on Social Impact of Computing

High school junior$250-$1,000Social Impact of Computing; What Should Individual Privacy Rights Be With Respect To Services Such As “Street View”?Approx. 2,500 words or 10 pages5/31/10***--

Social Impact of Computing Schubmehl-Prein Contest

High school juniors$250-$1,000Social and ethical implications of the $100 laptop10 pages (about 2,500 words)5/31/09--

 

*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

 

 

 

 
June 2009 

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"1,000-1,5006/1/09*,***--

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" Open6/6/09*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.5006/30/09***First 1,000 entries w/ Subway receipt code get free Scholastic book.

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*Postmarked date

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***E-mail date

 

 
 
July 2009

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, publicationAny topic250

7/15/09, 10/15/09,

2/17/10*,***

--

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*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

 

 

 

 
August 2009 

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

City Kidz Short Story Contest

9th-12th$50 restaurant gift card, lifetime magazine subscription, publicationAny short storyAt least 500 words8/1/09***(Scroll to bottom of page for contest info)

Creative Communications Poetry Contest

K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th $50 savings bonds, free anthologiesOpen 21 lines8/18/09, 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

 6,0008/23/09*** 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***--

Inventors Digest 2059 Innovative Essay Contest

Ages 12-17 (2 categories: middle school & high school) Laptop, publication, magazine subscription, opportunity to be on PBS TV, more! What new technology, tool, product or service will shape our lives in the year 2059? 500 8/31/09* NC & SC residents wil automatically be entered in an additional regional contest with iPod prize.

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*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

 

 

 

 

September 2009 

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

The Big Write

4th-5th, 6th-8th

$25-$100

 

(3 prizes per age group)

Story beginning with line, "It sounded like someone was scratching at the window."250-500 9/4/09*--

Horticulture Essay Contest

Ages 15-18, 19-22$100, plaqueAny horticultural subject that interests you (ideas on website)1500-2000 w/ @ least 5 references.9/15/09*--

AnthologyBuilder's Match-That-Artwork Contest

18 and under $30-$100, publication online, detailed critique by a professional editor Choose your favorite cover art from the online collection and write any story to match it 1,000-50,000  9/20/09*** --

Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest

5th-6th, 7th-8th, 9th-12th

Winners participate in a teleconference with

Cassini scientists

Watch 3 online videos about targets around

Saturn which the Cassini spacecraft could image,

then write an essay on which target is best.

500 9/30/09*** @ 3:00 p.m. EDT

1-4

people/project

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*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

 

 

 

 

October 2009 

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

Be-A-Famous Writer Contest

Ages 4-8, 9-13 

Stories made into illustrated video; $25 gift certificates to bookstore

Any story250-1,00010/15/09***

Great videos at www.MrsP.com of her

introducing and reading classic stories.

American Veteran, the Power of One Essay and Scholarship Project

Ages 13-17Summer camp experience @ the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia; $50; publication in a bookVeteran you know/admire100010/15/09

 First ten teachers whose students sumbit essays receive Office Depot gift cards for classroom supplies!

Creative Communications Essay Contest

K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th

 $50 savings bond, copy of anthology, publication Any topic 250

10/15/09,

2/17/10*,***

--

Earth Science Week Essay Contest

6th-9th$300 & DVD

Interaction of

climate and earth's systems (atmosphere, biosphere, etc.)

30010/16/09*,*** @ 5 p.m.--

Old Possum's Children's Poetry Competition

Ages 7-8, 9-1150-250 British pounds, 2-6 children's poetry books, publication on website and in bookletPoem on "Heroes and Heroines"25 lines 10/19/2009***,**--

EPIC New Voices Writing Competition

6th-8th, 9th-12th

$100, publication in anthology, other prizes vary (eg. e-book reader, PDA, gift certificates)

3 categeries: Story, poem, or essay (on any topic)

Varies by age.

 

Story and essays: 750 or 1000

 

Poems: 20 or 30 lines

10/20/09***You may sumbit one entry in each category.

The Big Break Young Scriptwriting Competition

Ages 13-15 and 16-18A masterclass in scriptwriting at London's National Theatre, tickets for a play at the London National TheatreAdapt the novel "How I Live Now" into a script for the stage.Submit a 150 word treatment and one scene of dialogue.10/30/09*** --

What's Your Favorite Zoo Animal? Contest

All

Family four pack to NC zoo

What is your favorite zoo animal and why?5010/31/09--

"Education Matters" Scholarship Contest

Ages 13-college$5,000 scholarship“What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn't matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?”25010/31/09***--

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Unspecified Date/Ongoing
More ongoing contests can be found at:
www.homeschoolwriters.com/ongoing.aspx 

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

Amvets Americanism Program Essay Contest

6th-12th in five different levels

$75-$500 visa gift card/trip

"What Does an American Veteran Mean to Me?"

200-500 (varies by age)

Vary; contact local chapter

--

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

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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November 2009

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

HSLDA Essay Contest

Ages 7-10, 11-14, 15-19

$25-$200

Ages 7-10: Why were you born when you were?


Ages 11-14: How would you invest $100,000?


Ages 15-19: How does the news media affect your perception of America?

700

11/1/09*

For homeschooled students only. $10-$15 fee used toward prizes & special needs children fund

Bennington College Young Writers Competition

10th-12th$250-$500

Poetry (a group of 3 poems)

 

Fiction (a short story or one-act play)

 

Nonfiction (a personal or academic essay)

Poems: unspecified

 

Short story/essay: 1500

 

One-act play: 30 min.

11/1/09***

--

Patriot's Pen Essay Contest

6th-8th

$1,000-$10,000 savings bond & trip to D.C

"When is the Right Time to Honor Our Military Heroes?"

300-400

11/1/09**

--

Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest

9th-12th

$1,000-$30,000 and a free trip to Washington, D.C.

"Does America Still Have Heroes?"3-5 minute audio essay11/1/09**

Sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Lego Click Awards Essay Contest

Ages 6-13$5,000 savings bonds

What you'd like to invent, how, and why.

150-300 (varies by age)11/2/09**--

NABE "Being "Bilingual" Essay Contest

3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th $1,000-$2,000Choose from several bilingual-related topics 150-500 (varies by age)11/7/09Essay must be written in the student's second language, not their primary language.

Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

High School Sophomore and Junior Girls(7 prizes total) $25-$200, free tuition for university's two-week Hollinsummer program with creative writing class, publication in Cargoes, 2-10 copies of CargoesPoem on any topicUnspecified11/15/09***--

Speakable Gifts Writing Contest

2nd-4th, 5th-6th  $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble; certificate Response to an Aesop's Fable or proverb on the website100-200 words, depending on age group 

11/16/09*,***

--

FIRE’s “Freedom in Academia” Essay Contest

High school seniors$1000 - $5000 college scholarships

Why free speech rights are crucial to

higher education and how infringements on these

rights betray the purpose of a university

education.

700 - 1200

11/6/09***

(or snail mailed - not specified whether this is a postmarked or received date)

--

First Freedom Student Competition

9th-12th

$750-$3000The USA's advancement of international religious freedom None

Entry deadline: 11/28/09*

Registration deadline: 11/23/09***

Young Voices of America Speak Their Muse Contest

 

K-2nd, 3rd-6th,

7th-12th

$5-$75  Any poem (see site for tips)Unspecified 

11/27/09****/* 

Entry must be previously unpublished

Young Adult Literature Review Fiction Contest

Ages 12-17

Signed book by Scott Westerfeld,

publication in magazine, work with editor to get

piece ready for publication, be guest on the YA

Lit Review Podcast

Any story5,00011/30/09***--

Tapestry of Bronze Fall Contest

 Under age 18

$50

Poem about the Greek goddess Demeter/Ceres

30 lines11/30/09***-- 

The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

High school sophomore or junior

Full scholarship to the Kenyon Review

Young Writers workshop, publication in The Kenyon Review

A poem (more details available starting Nov. 1)Unspecified (more details available starting Nov. 1)11/30/09***  Approx. 1,000 entrants per year

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*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

 

 

NEW!!! Homeschool Writer of the Year Competition 

Who can enter the most writing contests this year? Get out your pens and join in the race! 

Deadline is December 31.

  

December 2009 

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

Patrick Henry College Journalism Scholarship

High school seniors $5,000-$10,000 scholarships at Patrick Henry College  Short essay describing your interest in journalismunspecified 12/1/09Need strong academics, references, and journalism  experience.

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

12/1/09*

May enter more than one piece. May enter as an individual or as a group.

Duke TIP Talent Search Writing Contest

4th, 5th

$25-$250

A short story about time machine travel

600-800 words

12/1/09***

To participate, you must first join the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) 

FRA Americanism Essay Contest

9th-12th (winners in each grade)

Up to $2,000 per region; participation prizes (books) based on percentage of school's eligible students who participate in the contest

 

Other prizes will be announced on the website 9/17/09

"What Memorial Day Means to Me"35012/1/09*,***Must submit to local Branch Americanism Chairman. See website to find local branches.

"Being an American" Essay Contest

 

Ages 13-19 

$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 12/1/09 --

Drexel University High School Ten-Page Playwriting Contest 

Junior or senior in high school $1-5K scholarship; professional notes & feedback for 20 winnersAny screenplay or stage play10 pages

12/1/09*

-- 

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

12/1/09* 

--

Speakable Gifts Writing Contest

 5th-6th  $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble; certificate Response to an Aesop's Fable or proverb on the website 100-200 words, depending on age group  

12/2/09*,*** 

 --

Creative Communications Poetry Contest

 K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th$50 savings bonds, free anthologiesOpen21 lines12/10/09*,***--

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

Describe a teacher who has inspired you in school & how they have impacted your life

50-250

12/11/09*,***

Sponsored by Olive Garden Restaurants

Letters About Literature 

4th-6th, 7th & 8th, 9th-12th

Not listed on website yet 

Letter to any author, living or dead

100-800 (varies by age) 

 
12/12/09* -- 

Guayabera Press Writing Contest

Ages 12-18$25-$100"What does being Latino in America mean to you?"None12/15/09***Open to Latino youth only

Rider University Annual High School Writing Contest

High school

$25-$100; publication

Essay, fiction (short story), or poetry. Topic of your choice.

Essay and fiction:

5 double-spaced pages.

 

Poetry:

50 lines

 12/18/09*--

Good Story Contest

Under age 20 

Courses & publishing services valued from $100-$25,000

 

(over $3 million total in prize value to be distributed)

 

Story with a central focus of goodness

 

200-1,000

12/21/09 

May be submitted by individuals or groups 

Homeschool Writer of the Year Competition

 

(Sponsored by Homeschool Writers.com)

K-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12thCertificate & online publicationn/an/a12/31/09

Competition is actually a race: Who can enter the most writing contests this year?

Knight Essay Contest (sponsored by Sons of the American Revolution)

high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors $500-$2,000; airfare and one night hotel stay for the winner and a chaperone at the SAR Annual Congress 

Event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or framing of US Constitution

800-1200 words12/31/09

Local chapter deadline is usually but not always 12/31/09.

 

See here for specific info for your state.

National Creative Society Literary Competition and Awards

7th-12th(ages 12-18)

 

2 categories for prizes- middle and high school

 

$100-$1000

Essay or fiction, or poems. Any topic.

3-5 double spaced pages

12/31/09*

 

--

Write On! Contests

Age 18 and underUunspecified prizes and potential publication

Short story (any topic)

 

Poetry (any topic)

 

Essay (your happiest memory)

Short story: 1000 words

 

Poetry: 2 pages

 

Essay: 500 words

12/31/09***--

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

12/31/09**

May submit up to 6 entries. Must be in English.

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*Postmarked date

**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

 

 
January 2010

Contest

Grade Groups

Prizes

Topic

Word Max

Deadline

Comments

The UN Association of the United States 2010 National High School Essay Contest

9th-12th $500-$1500 scholarship, free trip to UNLetter to the President about how the US can promote positive development overseas (see website for more details)

1,500

1/5/10***

--

Irish History Writing Contest

6th-8th, 9th-12th

$25-$1,000

6th-8th grade:

Role of women in the 1916 rebellion

 

9th-12th grade:

The Irish playing the Game: The Sports of the World

6th-8th grade: 500-1,000

 

9th-12th grade: 750-1,500

1/5/10--

The Writing Conference, Inc. Contest

Elementary, middle school, high school

Plaque, publication in The Writers' Slate, and invitation to Celebration of Writing Reception A poem, narrative, or essay about "courage that would qualify someone as a hero"none1/8/10--

Elks Club Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest

 5th-6th, 7th-8th$250-$1000 savings bond

“The American Dream: What Is It?”

250

Submit to local lodge on or before 1/10/2010

--

The John F. Kennedy Essay Contest

9th-12th$500-$10,000. Teacher of winning student gets $500. Essay about an elected official who has demonstrated political courage 1,000 (not including citations & bibliography)  

1/10/10*,*** 

 --

OddContest

under 18 as of 1/1/10$50, convention membership, and books Science fiction/fantasy5001/15/10*** --
 

The Book Arts Bash

 

K-1st, 2nd-3rd, 4th-5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,

11th, 12th

 $100 (more prizes coming soon)  A novel 1000-10,000 words 1/1/10*** For homeschooled students or parents only 

National Right to Life Pro-Life Essay Contest

7th-9th, 10th-12th$100-$200Answering the Pro-Abortion Arguments300-5001/16/10*--

The Old Creamery Theatre's Writing Contest

1st-6th$25-$100 bookstore gift cardStory, poem, or song about characters who resolve a conflict by making a choice to do the right thing5 typewritten pages1/22/10* Can work individually or as a group

Frank E. Bolden Literary Contest

Middle school, high school$100 savings bondDescribe an example of faithfulness, courage, or persistence in racial issues200 words1/30/10--
 

Link Institute YouthWorker Journal

 High school juniors and seniorsPublication, $75-$250, and $2,000-$4,000 annual scholarship to Huntington University Reaching My Generation for Christ 1,200-1,500 1/31/10 --

Dupont Challenge Science Essay Competition

 7th-9th, 10th-12th $200-$5,000 savings bond; free trip to Kennedy Space Center and Disney World Essay on science-related topic700-1000 1/31/10*** -- 

Sampad International Writing Competition

Ages 8-15, 16 and overPublication, book, 200 British pounds (300 pounds for ages 16+)Any style (short story, poetry, etc.) on Journeys  250

 1/31/2010

**,***

Open to any writer with an interest in South Asian culture

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**Received date (US mail)

***E-mail date

  


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This page was last modified on Monday, February 08, 2010