The 2009 Student Essay Contest judging is now final. See the home page for winners.
2010 Topic: A Lesson Learned
Divisions:
- Middle School (grades 6-8)
- High School (grades 9-12)
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each division: $100, $75, 50. (At the judges' discretion, honorable mentions might be selected: $25)
Eligibility:
- Author must reside in Bedford, Franklin, or Pittsylvania Counties--or cities therein.
- There is no entry fee.
- Essay must be a true story about some kind of lesson that the writer learned. It can be a big lesson or a small one. It can have happened either in school or out of school. The writer can be either a participant or an observer of the lesson.
Rules:
- Essay must not exceed 2,000 words. There is no minimum length.
- Cover page should contain the title, author's name, author's address and phone number, email address, school (or note if home-schooled), and grade.
- Essay must be word-processed. No handwritten essays will be accepted.
- Use Times New Roman, 12 pt., double-spaced. Each page (except the cover sheet) should have a header with the title in the upper left corner and page number in the upper right corner.
- Essay must have the title on both the cover page and the first page of the essay.
- Author's name should appear only on the cover page.
- Do not include pictures or drawings. Do not enclose the essay in a folder or binder.
- Staple pages together in the upper left corner.
- Only one entry per person.
- Send essay to Becky Mushko, Lake Writers Student Essay Contest, 8 Listening Hill Road, Penhook, VA 24137.
- Deadline for entries is Wednesday, March 10, 2010.
No entries will be returned. Do not send your only copy.
Judging:
- Essays will be judged on content, style, creativity, organization, readability, grammar and punctuation, and proper formatting.
- Winners will be notified by email or phone (and announced in local media). Names of winners will also be posted on http://lakewriters.webs.com. Anyone who would like to receive a list of winners should enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for notification.
Winners will receive their checks and certificates at an awards ceremony in late May.