2012 Visions In Education Writing Contest

To promote the culture of writing on our campus and to celebrate our students, Visions is launching its first writing contest. Students from all academies and all grades are invited to participate. This year’s contest theme, “Where I’m from…” originates from a famous poem by George Ella Lyon. Poet and novelist Wendell Berry once said, “If you don’t know where you’re from, you’ll have a hard time saying where you’re going.” This writing contest will encourage students to explore their own uniqueness and give them an opportunity to create something of themselves to share with all of us.

Contest Details

Writing Prompt: “Where I’m from…”

What makes you who you are? Is it the place you live? Your family and friends? Your music, art, or hobby? Your favorite view of the river in the morning? Your mom’s tacos? Write about what makes you you. Write about what and where you come from and who you are. Your writing may take the shape of a narrative essay about yourself, a fictional short story, or a poem.

For a lesson plan to inspire ideas about how to approach this topic, click here. If you would like a poetry template to help you get started, click here. Check out George Ella Lyon’s original poem, “Where I’m From,” and read her suggestions for how to use this poem as a brainstorm for other types of writing here.

Prizes/Celebration

Prizes will be awarded by academy and grade groupings. Ten students will be selected to win a $50 prize! All Finalists will receive a Certificate of Honorable Mention. All Winners will be published in The Word Squad, Visions in Education’s new online literary magazine that will debut in the fall of 2012. Winners will be invited to attend a celebration event in the fall of 2012.

Categories

1. Narrative: Write a personal narrative of no more than four double-spaced, typed pages.
2. Fiction: Write a short story of no more than five double-spaced, typed pages.
3. Poetry: Write a poem of no more than 50 lines.

Submission Guidelines

• Type the following information at the top of your entry
• First name, Last name
• Email Address
• Grade
• CT name
• Academy (9-12, Home School or EDGE)
• Writing Category (Narrative, Fiction, Poem)
• Title
• Entries and poems must be typed and double-spaced. Single-spaced prose will not be read. Please give your story, essay and or poem a title.
• Multiple submissions are allowed. (You may enter more than one piece to the contest and may enter multiple pieces in each category.)
• Please send your entry attached to an email to thewordsquad@viedu.org with the words “Writing Contest” in the subject line. You may send a document or PDF file.
• DEADLINE: Entries must be received by midnight, May 15, 2012. Winners will be notified and prizes awarded within 30 days of the close of the contest.
• Entries must be previously unpublished and the original work of the student.
• Parents of very young writers may type the writing for their child. Technical ability must be consistent with grade level.
• Entries should be proofread and edited. Have a parent or teacher read your work.
• Students whose work is to be published in The Word Squad will be asked to complete a permission form with a parent/guardian signature.