senior essay contest

Looking to publish? Meet your dream editor, designer and marketer on Reedsy.

Find the perfect editor for your next book

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Best Essay Writing Contests in 2024

Showing 54 contests that match your search.

Great American Think-Off

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The Great American Think-Off is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas that connect to your life at the gut level. The Cultural Center, located in the rural farm and manufacturing town of New York Mills, sponsors this annual philosophy contest.

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction

The Letter Review

Genres: Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, Crime, Humor, and Science Writing

2-4 Winners are published. We Shortlist 10-20 writers. Seeking Nonfiction 0-5000 words. Judges’ feedback available. Open to writers from anywhere in the world, with no theme or genre restrictions. Judged blind. All entries considered for publication + submission to Pushcart.

Additional prizes:

Publication by The Letter Review

💰 Entry fee: $2

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024 (Expired)

The Fountain Essay Contest

Fountain Magazine

“Home” holds a special place in our lives. Our earliest memories form inside its walls; we utter our first words and take our first steps there. Does everyone feel the same about home? Is it where you were born or where you earn your bread? Is home a physical place? In a world that moves faster than ever and is confined to small screens, how do perceptions about "home" change? Where is home for people who are forced to leave their homes? Where is your home?

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024

Craft your masterpiece in Reedsy Studio

Plan, write, edit, and format your book in our free app made for authors.

Learn more about Reedsy Studio .

World Historian Student Essay Competition

World History Association

Genres: Children's and Essay

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international competition open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, and those in home-study programs. Membership in the World History Association is not a requirement for submission. Past winners may not compete in the same category again.

High School Academic Research Competition

Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal

The High School Academic Research Competition is where talented students from around the world compete to publish high-quality research on any topic. SARC challenges students to sharpen their critical thinking skills, immerse themselves in the research process, and hone their writing skills for success.

Indigo Research Intensive Summer Program

📅 Deadline: April 17, 2024 (Expired)

The Lascaux Prize in Creative Nonfiction

Lascuax Review

Creative nonfiction may include memoirs, chronicles, personal essays, humorous perspectives, literary journalism—anything the author has witnessed, experienced, or discovered. Pieces may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. Winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024

Personal Essay Competition 2024

Write the World

Genres: Essay and Memoir

We want to hear about an experience in your life, rife with characters and description and conflict and scene… but we also want to hear how you make sense of this experience, how it sits with you, and why it has surfaced as writing. Open a window into your life and invite your readers to enter.

Best entry: $100

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50

📅 Deadline: June 24, 2024

A Very Short Story Contest

Gotham Writers Workshop

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, and Non-fiction

Write a great short story in ten words or fewer. Submit it to our contest. Entry is free. Winner of the bet gets a free Gotham class.

Free writing class from Gotham Writers Workshop.

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024

Military Anthology: Partnerships, the Untold Story

Armed Services Arts Partnership

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Partners are an integral aspect of military life, at home and afar, during deployment and after homecoming. Partnerships drive military action and extend beyond being a battle buddy, wingman, or crew member. Some are planned while others arise entirely unexpectedly. Spouses, family, old or new friends, community, faith leaders, and medical specialists all support the military community. Despite their importance, the stories of these partnerships often go untold. This anthology aims to correct that: We will highlight the nuances, surprises, joy, sorrow, heroism, tears, healing power, and ache of partnerships. We invite you to submit the story about partnerships from your journey, so we can help tell it.

$500 Editors' Choice award

$250 for each genre category (prose, poetry, visual art)

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2024 (Expired)

Vocal Challenges

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Enter themed storytelling contests to put your creativity to the test and be in with a chance of winning cash prizes and more. To submit, you'll need to sign up for a monthly fee of $9.99, or $4.99/month for 3 months.

$1,000 — $5,000

📅 Deadline: March 07, 2024 (Expired)

Irene Adler Prize

Lucas Ackroyd

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, and Travel

I’ve traveled the world from Sweden to South Africa, from the Golden Globes to the Olympic women’s hockey finals. I’ve photographed a mother polar bear and her cubs and profiled stars like ABBA, Jennifer Garner and Katarina Witt. And I couldn’t have done it without women. I’ve been very fortunate, and it’s time for me to give back. With the Irene Adler Prize, I’m awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a woman pursuing a degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution.

2x honorable mentions: $250

📅 Deadline: May 30, 2024

Tusculum Review Nonfiction Chapbook Prize

The Tusculum Review

A prize of $1,000, publication of the essay in The Tusculum Review’s 20th Anniversary Issue (2024), and creation of a limited edition stand-alone chapbook with original art is awarded. Editors of The Tusculum Review and contest judge Mary Cappello will determine the winner of the 2024 prize.

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024

swamp pink Prizes

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

From January 1st to January 31st, submit short stories and essays of up to 25 pages or a set of 1-3 poems. Winners in each genre will receive $2,000 and publication.

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2024 (Expired)

Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award

Trio House Press

Genres: Essay, Memoir, and Non-fiction

We seek un-agented full-length creative nonfiction manuscripts including memoir, essay collections, etc. 50,000 - 80,000 words.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2024 (Expired)

NOWW 26th International Writing Contest

Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)

Open to all writers in four categories: poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and critical writing.

2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: February 29, 2024 (Expired)

Anthology Travel Writing Competition 2024

Anthology Magazine

The Anthology Travel Writing Competition is open to original and previously unpublished travel articles in the English language by writers of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. We are looking for an engaging article that will capture the reader’s attention, conveying a strong sense of the destination and the local culture. Max 1000 words.

💰 Entry fee: $16

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024

Narratively 2023 Memoir Prize

Narratively

Genres: Essay, Humor, Memoir, and Non-fiction

Narratively is currently accepting submissions for their 2023 Memoir Prize. They are looking for revealing and emotional first-person nonfiction narratives from unique and overlooked points of view. The guest judge is New York Times bestselling memoirist Stephanie Land.

$1,000 and publication

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2023 (Expired)

Literary and Photographic Contest 2023-2024

Hispanic Culture Review

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Poetry

As we move forward we carry our culture wherever we go. It keeps us alive. This is why we propose the theme to be “¡Hacia delante!”. A phrase that means to move forward. This year we ask that you think about the following questions: What keeps you moving forward? What do you carry with you going into the future? How do you celebrate your successes, your dreams, and your culture?

Publication in magazine

📅 Deadline: February 07, 2024 (Expired)

Share Your Story

FanStory.com Inc.

Write about an event in your life. Everyone has a memoir. Not an autobiography. Too much concern about fact and convention. A memoir gives us the ability to write about our life with the option to create and fabricate and to make sense of a life, or part of that life.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: August 13, 2024

Climate Change Writing Competition

This month, dear writers, ahead of COP27, help us raise the voices of young people in this urgent fight. In a piece of personal narrative, tell the world’s leaders gathering in how climate change impacts you. How has this crisis changed your environment, your community, your sense of the future? Storytelling, after all, plays a critical role in helping us grasp the emergency through which we are all living, igniting empathy in readers and listeners—itself a precursor to action.

Runner-up: $50

📅 Deadline: October 18, 2022 (Expired)

Red Hen Press Women's Prose Prize

Red Hen Press

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, Essay, Memoir, and Novel

Established in 2018, the Women’s Prose Prize is for previously unpublished, original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible for consideration. The awarded manuscript is selected through a biennial competition, held in even-numbered years, that is open to all writers who identify as women.

Publication by Red Hen Press

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2024 (Expired)

Work-In-Progress (WIP) Contest

Unleash Press

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Young Adult

We aim to assist writers in the completion of an important literary project and vision. The Unleash WIP Award offers writers support in the amount of $500 to supplement costs to aid in the completion of a book-length work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Writers will also receive editorial feedback, coaching meetings, and an excerpt/interview feature in Unleash Lit.

Coaching, interview, and editorial support

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024

The Hudson Prize

Black Lawrence Press

Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Hudson Prize for an unpublished collection of poems or prose. The prize is open to new, emerging, and established writers.

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)

Annual Contest Submissions

So To Speak

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, LGBTQ, Non-fiction, and Poetry

So To Speak is seeking submissions for poetry, fiction, and non-fiction with an intersectional feminist lens! It is no secret that the literary canon and literary journals are largely comprised of heteronormative, patriarchal, cisgender, able-bodied white men. So to Speak seeks work by writers, poets, and artists who want to challenge and change the identity of the “canonical” writer.

💰 Entry fee: $4

📅 Deadline: March 15, 2024 (Expired)

100 Word Writing Contest

Tadpole Press

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult, Children's, Poetry, Romance, Short Story, Suspense, and Travel

Can you write a story using 100 words or less? Pieces will be judged on creativity, uniqueness, and how the story captures a new angle, breaks through stereotypes, and expands our beliefs about what's possible or unexpectedly delights us. In addition, we are looking for writing that is clever or unique, inspires us, and crafts a compelling and complete story. The first-place prize has doubled to $2,000 USD.

2nd: writing coach package

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize is a writing competition sponsored by the stage and radio series Selected Shorts. Selected Shorts is recorded for Public Radio and heard nationally on both the radio and its weekly podcast. This years entries will be judged by Carmen Maria Machado (In the Dream House, Her Body and Other Parties).

$1000 + free 10 week course with Gotham Writers

Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

Jane Austen Society of North America

JASNA conducts an annual student Essay Contest to foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen's works in new generations of readers. Students world-wide are invited to compete for scholarship awards in three divisions: high school, college, and graduate school.

$1,000 scholarship

Two nights’ lodging for JASNA’s Annual General Meeting

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2022 (Expired)

Lazuli Literary Group Writing Contest

Lazuli Literary Group

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Novella, and Script Writing

We are not concerned with genre distinctions. Send us the best you have; we want only for it to be thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. We want art that grows in complexity upon each visitation; we enjoy ornate, cerebral, and voluptuous phrases executed with thematic intent.

Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"

📅 Deadline: March 24, 2024 (Expired)

The Letter Review Prize for Unpublished Books

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

Free to enter. Seeking 0-5000 word (poetry: 15 pgs) excerpts of unpublished books (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction), including most self-published and indie-published works. 2-4 Winners (publication of extract is optional). We Shortlist 10-20 writers. Open to writers from anywhere in the world, with no theme or genre restrictions. Judged blind.

Optional Publication of Excerpt, Letter of Recommendation

Askew's Word on the Lake Writing Contest

Shuswap Association of Writers

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Essay, Memoir, and Short Story

Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest has a place for you. Part of the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival in Salmon Arm, BC, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 2,000 words), nonfiction (up to 2,000 words), and poetry (up to three one-page poems).

💰 Entry fee: $11

Bacopa Literary Review Annual Writing Contest

Writers Alliance of Gainesville

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Bacopa Literary Review’s 2024 contest is open from March 4 through April 4, with $200 Prize and $100 Honorable Mention in each of six categories: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, Free Verse Poetry, Formal Poetry, and Visual Poetry.

📅 Deadline: May 02, 2024 (Expired)

Indignor Play House Annual Short Story Competition

Indignor House Publishing

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult

Indignor House Publishing is proud to announce that our annual writing competition (INDIGNOR PLAYHOUSE Short Story Annual Competition) is officially open with expected publication in the fall of 2024. Up to 25 submissions will be accepted for inclusion in the annual anthology.

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150

National Essay Contest

U.S. Institute of Peace

Genres: Essay

This year, AFSA celebrates the 100th anniversary of the United States Foreign Service. Over the last century, our diplomats and development professionals have been involved in groundbreaking events in history – decisions on war and peace, supporting human rights and freedom, creating joint prosperity, reacting to natural disasters and pandemics and much more. As AFSA looks back on this century-long history, we invite you to join us in also looking ahead to the future. This year students are asked to explore how diplomats can continue to evolve their craft to meet the needs of an ever-changing world that brings fresh challenges and opportunities to the global community and America’s place in it.

Runner-up: $1,250

Goldilocks Zone

Sunspot Literary Journal

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story

Sunspot Lit is looking for the perfect combination of craft and appeal in stories, CNF, novel or novella excerpts, artwork, graphic novels, poems, scripts/screenplays. Literary and genre accepted. Enter through Submittable or Duotrope.

Creative Nonfiction Prize

Indiana Review

Genres: Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction

Send us one creative nonfiction piece, up to 5000 words, for a chance at $1000 + publication. This year's contest will be judged by Lars Horn.

Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse.

Why you should submit to writing contests

Submitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes!

That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. 

But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them.

When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine.

Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story!

For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course: How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine.

In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing.

In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule.

Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement?

The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing.

Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure.

Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024

Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. 

Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions.

Free online courses

On Writing:

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction

How to Write a Novel

Understanding Point of View

Developing Characters That Your Readers Will Love

Writing Dialogue That Develops Plot and Character

Stop Procrastinating! Build a Solid Writing Routine

On Editing:

Story Editing for Authors

How to Self-Edit Like a Pro

Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites

How to Write a Short Story in 7 Steps

Reedsy's guide to novel writing

Literary Devices and Terms — 35+ Definitions With Examples

10 Essential Fiction Writing Tips to Improve Your Craft

How to Write Dialogue: 8 Simple Rules and Exercises

8 Character Development Exercises to Help You Nail Your Character

Bonus resources

200+ Short Story Ideas

600+ Writing Prompts to Inspire You

100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors

Story Title Generator

Pen Name Generator

Character Name Generator

After you submit to a writing competition in 2024

It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit:

Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over.

If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere.

After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

Save your shortlist

Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!

By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.

We sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Writing Contest Directory, happy publishing! 🙌

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

• [ April 10, 2024 ] The Perfect Match: Why Senior Citizen Pet Adoption Programs Are a Win-Win Pets For Seniors
• [ April 9, 2024 ] Unforgettable Journeys: Where Will Your Next Senior Tour Take You? Travel And Leisure
• [ April 8, 2024 ] What Are Top Hobbies For Retirees? Travel And Leisure
• [ April 5, 2024 ] Is There More to Life? Finding Spiritual Meaning as We Age Spirituality And Aging
• [ April 4, 2024 ] Staying Active, Staying Safe: A Guide to Mobility Assistance For Seniors Accessibility And Inclusivity

Golden Words: Exploring the World of Senior Writing Contests

Have you ever heard of senior writing contests? You might be thinking, “Why would senior citizens want to participate in writing contests?” Well, let me tell you – there are many reasons!

Senior writing contests offer a unique opportunity for older adults to showcase their creativity and writing skills. These contests can take many forms, such as poetry competitions, short story contests, essay-writing challenges, and more.

What Are Senior Writing Contests?

Senior writing contests are competitions that are specifically designed for individuals over a certain age (usually 50 or 60 years old). These contests can be organized by various entities such as local libraries or community centers, national organizations or even international groups.

The contest organizers will have specific rules and requirements that must be followed in order for contestants’ submissions to be considered. The types of submissions that each contest is looking for can vary widely.

Some may focus on poetry only while others may accept personal essays or memoirs. Usually the theme will be given by the organizers beforehand so that contestants know the direction they should take when submitting their entries.

Importance of Participating in Senior Writing Contests

Participating in senior writing contests can bring numerous benefits to older adults who love to write. For starters, these types of contests provide an opportunity to express creativity and showcase one’s literary skills as well as receive recognition from peers and industry leaders.

Furthermore, participating in these types of challenges helps seniors maintain mental agility by keeping their minds active and engaged with new ideas which is especially important for cognitive health in later life stages. Winning a prize or award at a senior writing contest also provides an outlet through which an individual can gain greater self-confidence and self-esteem.

Additionally, winning such honors is a great way to get noticed by publishers or other literary agents who may be interested in publishing your work or using your writing skills for other purposes. Overall, senior writing contests offer a unique opportunity for older adults who are passionate about writing to express themselves, stay mentally sharp and potentially gain recognition for their literary talents.

High-level overview of senior writing contests

Do you love to write? Are you over 50 years old?

If so, senior writing contests might be the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your writing skills and potentially win some amazing prizes. These literary competitions are specifically designed for seniors and can range from poetry contests to short story contests.

Types of contests available for seniors

There are a variety of senior writing contest options available that cater to different genres, writing styles, and skill levels. Some popular contest types include poetry, short story/flash fiction, memoir/creative non-fiction, and screenwriting/playwriting.

If you prefer poetry over prose, there are several poetry competitions that welcome submissions from senior writers. Poets & Writers offers a list of poetry contests exclusively for poets over 50 years old.

Short story and flash fiction competitions are another great option for senior writers. Many of these contests require stories to be 1,500 words or less which is perfect if you’re looking for a quick but effective way to tell a compelling tale.

If you’re interested in sharing personal stories or memories through your writing, memoir/creative non-fiction contests may be the right choice. These types of competitions offer opportunities to explore your past and share it with others in unique ways.

There are also screenwriting/playwriting contests geared towards seniors who have always wanted to see their work come alive on stage or screen. Writing scripts can be challenging but incredibly rewarding if done correctly!

Eligibility requirements

Each competition has its own eligibility requirements but most require entrants to be over the age of 50 or 55 years old. You’ll also need to read the rules carefully since some competitions may only accept entries from specific regions or countries.

In addition to age restrictions, some competitions may also have genre-specific guidelines so make sure your submission matches the contest’s criteria. You don’t want to waste your time submitting a play to a poetry contest!

Prizes and rewards

The prizes for senior writing contests can vary but many offer cash rewards, publication opportunities, and even trips or retreats for winners. Some competitions may also offer honorable mentions or runner-up prizes. Apart from monetary benefits, these contests also provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills as a writer and gain wider recognition of your work.

If you’re lucky enough to win, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that others appreciate your writing abilities just as much as you do. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting out, senior writing contests are a great way to challenge yourself and potentially win some excellent rewards while doing so.

If you meet the eligibility requirements and have a passion for writing, why not give it a shot? The opportunities are endless!

Tips for Winning a Senior Writing Contest

Entering a senior writing contest can be nerve-wracking, but it is an excellent way to hone your skills and potentially win some great prizes. Here are some tips to give you the best chance of winning: Firstly, read and understand the rules of the contest carefully.

Make sure that your entry meets all the requirements outlined in the rules before submitting. Take time to familiarize yourself with the theme or topic of the contest and ensure that your work reflects it.

It’s also important to look at past winning entries or previous contests run by the same organization. This will give you an idea of what judges are looking for in terms of style, tone, format, and content.

Understanding their preferences can help you tailor your approach to increase your chances of success. Another critical step is to edit and proofread your work thoroughly before submitting it.

A well-written piece that is free from errors and typos will show judges that you took time and care with your entry. This means reading through it multiple times or asking someone else who has excellent writing skills to review it for you.

Make sure that your submission stands out from other entries by infusing it with originality, creativity, and personality. Use vivid descriptions or anecdotes where appropriate – something memorable could help set aside an entry from its competitors.

How to Find The Best Senior Writing Contest To Enter

Finding senior writing contests is simple thanks to technology – simply search online! However, finding one suited exactly towards what you’re looking for may require more research.

Start with a general search on Google or another search engine using keywords such as “senior writing contests” or “writing competitions for seniors.” Explore websites like Poets & Writers which provide comprehensive listings of all kinds of writing contests not limited only for seniors but also open categories too. Make use of social media to find writing contests that may not have come up in your search.

Different groups or forums can be used to find some of the lesser-known gems, as well as ask for any recommendations from others who have entered into writing competitions previously. Another way to find senior writing contests is through writing groups and clubs.

There is a variety of them offering specific categories based on age, genre, location and type of work. Researching which ones would be the most suitable for you would provide additional opportunities for participation.

Check with your local library or community centers. They may host their own mini-contests or offer information on regional contests that you may not have found online.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Entering A Senior Writing Contest

Entering a senior writing contest can be intimidating; however, don’t let common mistakes trip you up. Firstly, failing to proofread and edit – submitting work filled with errors such as spelling or grammar mistakes – will result in disqualification from the contest outright.

Take time to read through your manuscript multiple times before submitting it. Additionally, straying from the guidelines provided in regards to word count range or formatting requirements can lead to disqualification too.

Taking time to ensure that those guidelines are met will undoubtedly be in your best interest. Don’t forget about plagiarism either!

Make sure you are submitting original content by ensuring it’s not copied from someone else’s work without permission or attribution- this is an immediate red flag for judges reviewing entries. Submitting the wrong genre can also lead to issues with judges who are looking for specific types of content within each competition category.

Be sure that any entry matches all the criteria outlined carefully before submission. Make sure you understand all rules regarding entering multiple pieces within one contest category without penalty.

Entries beyond what’s allowed could result in all submissions being disqualified – so take care not only when preparing each submission but also when considering how many to submit. When done properly, a well-prepared entry can give you much more chance to win than one with common mistakes!

The Evolution of Senior Writing Contests

Senior writing contests have been around for decades, with the first notable contest taking place in the 1970s. The National Senior Citizens’ Writing Contest was established in 1977 as a way to encourage older adults to share their life experiences through writing.

Since then, many other organizations have developed their own senior writing contests as a means of promoting creativity and providing an outlet for seniors to express themselves. Over time, these competitions have evolved to become more inclusive and diverse.

They now cover multiple genres including poetry, short stories and essays, and are often grouped by theme or subject matter. Many senior writing contests are also open to writers from different cultural backgrounds, languages, and experience levels.

The Impact of Technology on Senior Writing Contests

Technology has had an undeniable impact on senior writing contests. In the past, many seniors may have felt intimidated or overwhelmed by new technology such as computers and the internet. However, as technology has become more accessible and user-friendly over time, seniors can now participate in online competitions with ease.

Digital submissions have not only made it easier for seniors to submit their written work but also for judges to evaluate entries with greater accuracy. Technological advancements like digital voting systems for judging contestants’ work has ensured that all entries can be reviewed transparently without biases from human error.

Personal Stories from Past Winners

Winning a senior writing contest can be an unforgettable experience that inspires creativity long after the competition is over. Past winners often share how participating in these contests helped them rediscover long-forgotten passions for creative writing while also gaining recognition for their work. One such winner is John Smith who won a local senior essay contest at age 70 with his piece about “The Importance of Gratitude.” Winning gave John the confidence he needed to pursue his passion further and led him down a path to publishing his own book of essays.

Another winner, Mary Johnson, participated in a national senior poetry contest, and her poem “Life’s Journey” won first prize. Mary shared how the process of writing her poem helped her to reflect on the ups and downs of life and allowed her to express herself in ways she never thought possible.

The Importance of Exploring Niche Senior Writing Contests

While larger contests for seniors may attract more attention, taking the time to research niche contests can be an excellent way for writers to explore topics that interest them. For example, some contests focus on memoir writing or short stories about travel experiences.

By exploring these smaller contests, seniors can find inspiration for their work and submit entries that are tailored to their interests. It’s also worth noting that smaller competitions often have fewer entries than larger ones, giving contestants a better chance of being recognized for their writing skills.

Senior writing contests not only provide seniors with an outlet for creative expression but also a chance to gain recognition for their work. Over time these competitions have evolved into more inclusive events with digital submissions opening up new possibilities. Winning one such contest could be the catalyst that inspires writers over 50 years old onto a journey filled with creativity and joy once again.

The Power of Senior Writing Contests

Joining a writing contest is worth your time and efforts.

Participating in senior writing contests has many benefits. For seniors, it’s an opportunity to showcase their creativity, writing skills and share their life experiences with a larger audience.

Besides, some contests come with cash prizes that can help supplement your retirement income or fund the hobbies you enjoy. Additionally, entering writing contests is an excellent way to stay mentally active and keep your mind sharp as you age.

Senior Writing Contests Foster Self-Expression and Creativity

Self-expression is essential for human beings regardless of age or background. As seniors, joining a writing contest can be an excellent way to express yourself through written words, share your life story or experiences with the world.

You don’t need to be a professional writer or have years of experience to participate in these contests; all you need is the desire to express yourself. Winning a senior writing contest can give you immense satisfaction knowing that your work has received recognition from other people who appreciate good literature.

Writing Contests Build Your Confidence as a Writer

Entering writing contests helps build confidence in your writing skills as well as provide constructive feedback on how to improve. Most competitions have judges who are established writers themselves seeking new talents and fresh perspectives from emerging voices. Receiving positive feedback on your work can be a huge confidence booster and give you the motivation needed to continue pursuing your passion for creative writing.

You Can Make New Connections Through Writing Contest Participation

Joining senior writing contests provides an excellent opportunity for networking within the literary community. Many organizations hosting these contests offer participants access to workshops or seminars led by established writers or publishers. These events are great opportunities for meeting other writers, publishers, agents and get insights into publishing trends that could help refine your writing skills and help you achieve your writing goals.

Conclusion: The World Needs Your Unique Story

Senior writing contests offer an excellent opportunity for seniors to showcase their creativity, share their unique experiences, build confidence in their writing skills and make new connections within the literary community. Don’t shy away from participating in these contests; you never know how much of an impact your story could have on someone else’s life.

So if you have a story to tell or a passion for creative writing, take the leap and enter a senior writing contest today. Remember, the world needs your unique voice, and there’s no better time than now to start sharing it.

• senior writing contests
• writing activities
• writing exercises
• writing workshops

Related Articles

Creative Writing for Seniors: Unleash Your Imagination and Tell Your Tale!

Creative writing for seniors offers an engaging way to unleash your imagination, share stories, and connect with others. Learn about writing prompts, workshops, and activities specifically tailored for older adults. Discover the benefits of creative writing for cognitive health and personal growth. […]

2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

• Discover The Best Senior Citizen Apartments: Ultimate Guide! - Elder Proofing
• Unbeatable Senior Citizen Day Ideas: Inspire Joy Today! - Elder Proofing

Comments are closed.

(c) Copyright 2023 KittDigital

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 17 best writing contests for high school students.

Other High School

If you're a writer—fiction, non-fiction, or fanfiction—you can put those skills to work for you. There are tons of writing contests for high school students, which can award everything from medals to cash prizes to scholarships if you win .

Not only will a little extra money, whether cash or scholarships, help you when it comes time to pay for college, but the prestige of a respected reward is also a great thing to include on your college application.

Read on to learn more about what writing contests for high school students there are, how to apply, and what you could win !

Writing Contests With Multiple Categories

Some high school contests accept entries in a variety of formats, including the standard fiction and non-fiction, but also things like screenwriting or visual art. Check out these contests with multiple categories:

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

• Award Amount: $1,000 to $12,500 scholarships
• Deadline: Varies between December and January, depending on your region
• Fee: $10 for single entry, $30 for portfolio

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards celebrate art by students in grades seven through twelve (age 13 or older) on a regional and national scale. These awards have a huge number of categories and styles, including cash prizes or scholarships for some distinguished award winners . Categories include science-fiction and fantasy writing, humor, critical essays, and dramatic scripts, among others.

Deadlines vary by region (but are mostly in December and January), so use Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search to find out when projects are due for your area.

Scholastic partners with other organizations to provide prizes to winners, so what you can win depends on what you enter and what competition level you reach. Gold medal portfolio winners can earn a $12,500 scholarship, and silver medal winners with distinction can earn a $2,000 scholarship , as well as many other options in different categories.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are open to private, public, or home-schooled students attending school in the US, Canada, or American schools in other countries. Students must be in grades seven through twelve to participate. Eligibility varies between regions, so consult Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search tool to figure out what applies to you .

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have a $10 entry fee for individual submissions and $30 for portfolio submissions, which may be waived for students in need . These fees may vary depending on location, so be sure to check your local guidelines .

Ocean Awareness Contest

• Award Amount: Scholarships up to $1,500
• Deadline: June 13, 2023 (submissions open in September)

The Ocean Awareness Contest asks students to consider the future of a coastal or marine species that is under threat from climate change. Submissions are accepted in a variety of art forms, but all must consider the way that climate change impacts ocean life .

Submissions for all categories, including art, creative writing, film, interactive and multimedia, music and dance, and poetry and spoken word are due in June, although the exact date varies slightly each year.

Winners may receive prizes of up to a $1,500 scholarship , depending on which division they fall into and what prize they win.

The contest is open to all international and US students between the ages of 11 and 18.

River of Words

• Award: Publication in the River of Words anthology
• Deadline: January 31, 2023

The River of Words contest asks students to consider watersheds—an area that drains into the same body of water—and how they connect with their local community. Students can explore this concept in art or poetry, with winners being published in the annual River of Words anthology .

Entries in all categories must be submitted by January 31, 2023. 

The River of Words contest is primarily for recognition and publication, as the website doesn't list any prize money . The contest includes specific awards for certain forms, such as poetry, some of which may have additional prizes .

The contest is open to International and US students from kindergarten to grade 12 (ages 5 through 19). Students who have graduated from high school but are not yet in college are also eligible.

Adroit Prizes

• Award Amount: $200 cash award
• Deadline: Typically April of each year

Sponsored by the Adroit Journal, the Adroit Prizes reward high school students and undergraduate students for producing exemplary fiction and poetry. Students may submit up to six poems or three works of prose (totaling 3,500 words) for consideration. Submissions typically open in spring .

Winners receive $200 and (along with runners-up) have their works published in the Adroit Journal . Finalists and runners-up receive a copy of their judge's latest published work.

The contest is open to secondary and undergraduate students, including international students and those who have graduated early . The Adroit Prizes has a non-refundable fee of $15, which can be waived.

YoungArts Competition

• Award Amount: Up to $10,000 cash awards
• Deadline: October 15, 2022; application for 2024 opens June 2023

Open to students in a variety of disciplines, including visual arts, writing, and music, the YoungArts competition asks students to submit a portfolio of work. Additional requirements may apply depending on what artistic discipline you're in .

Winners can receive up to $10,000 in cash as well as professional development help, mentorship, and other educational rewards.

Applicants must be 15- to 18-year-old US citizens or permanent residents (including green card holders) or in grades 10 through 12 at the time of submission . There is a $35 submission fee, which can be waived.

Fiction Writing Contests for High School Students

Many contests with multiple categories accept fiction submissions, so also check out the above contests if you're looking for places to submit original prose.

EngineerGirl Writing Contest

• Award Amount: $100 - $500 cash prize
• Deadline: February 1, 2023

This year's EngineerGirl Writing Contest asks students (though the name of the organization is "EngineerGirl," students of any gender may participate) to submit a piece of writing that shows how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. Word counts vary depending on grade level.

At every grade level, first-place winners will receive $500, second-place winners will receive $250, and third-place winners will receive $100 . Winning entries and honorable mentions will also be published on the EngineerGirl website.

Students of any gender from third to 12th grade may submit to this contest. Home-schooled and international students are also eligible.

Nonfiction Contests for High School Students

Like fiction, non-fiction is often also accepted in contests with multiple categories. However, there are quite a few contests accepting only non-fiction essays as well.

The American Foreign Services Association Essay Contest

• Award Amount: $1,250 to $2,500
• Deadline: April 3, 2023

The American Foreign Services Association sponsors a high school essay contest tasking students with selecting a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe, in 1,500 words or less, how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years .

One winner will receive $2,500 as well as a Washington D.C. trip and a scholarship to attend Semester at Sea . One runner-up receives $1,250 and a scholarship to attend the International Diplomacy Program of the National Student Leadership Conference.

Entries must be from US students in grade nine through 12, including students in the District of Columbia, US territories, or US citizens attending school abroad, including home-schooled students.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest

• Award Amount: $100 - $10,000
• Deadline: January 13, 2023

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage contest tasks students with writing an essay between 700 and 1,000 words on an act of political courage by a US elected official serving during or after 1917 , inspired by John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage . Each essay should cover the act itself as well as any obstacles or risks the subject faced in achieving their act of courage. Essays must not cover figures previously covered in the contest, and should also not cover John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, or Edward M. Kennedy.

One first-place winner will receive $10,000, one second-place winner will receive $3,000, five finalists will receive $1,000 each, and eight semi-finalists will win $100 each.

The contest is open to students in grades nine through 12 who are residents of the United States attending public, private, parochial, or home schools . Students under the age of 20 in correspondence high school programs or GED programs, as well as students in US territories, Washington D.C., and students studying abroad, are also eligible.

SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest

• Award Amount: $300 - $1,000 scholarships
• Deadline: February 19, 2023 (submissions open in November)

The SPJ/JEA high school essay contest , organized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association, asks students to  analyze the importance of independent media to our lives (as of now, the official essay topic for spring 2023 is TBD) . Essays should be from 300 to 500 words.

A $1,000 scholarship is given to a first-place winner, $500 to second-place, and $300 to third-place.

The contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled students of the United States in grades 9-12 .

Playwriting Contests for High School Students

For those who love the stage, playwriting contests are a great option. An original play can earn you great rewards thanks to any of these contests!

VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition

• Award: Participation in professional development activities at the Kennedy Center
• Deadline: January 4, 2023 (Application opens in October)

The VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition asks students with disabilities to submit a ten-minute script exploring their personal experiences, including the disability experience . Scripts may be realistic, fictional, or abstract, and may include plays, screenplays, or musical theater.

All entries are due in January. Scripts may be collaborative or written by individuals, but must include at least one person with a disability as part of the group .

One winner or group of winners will be selected as participants in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Winners will have access to professional assistance in developing their script as well as workshops and networking opportunities.

This contest is open to US and international students in ages 14 to 18 . Groups of up to five members may collaborate on an essay, but at least one of those students must have a disability.

Worldwide Plays Festival Competition

• Award: Professional production in New York
• Deadline: March (official 2023 deadline TBD)

In the Worldwide Plays Festival Competition , students from around the world can submit an eight-minute script for a play set in a part of a neighborhood —specifically, at a convenience store, outside a character's front door, or at a place where people convene. Each play must have roles for three actors, should not have a narrator who isn't also a character, and should not contain set changes.

Entries are due in February. Winners will have their play produced by professionals at an off-Broadway New York theater . Scholarships are also available for winners.

Any student, including US and international, in first through 12th grade may submit work for consideration.

• Award Amount: $50 - $200 cash prize
• Deadline: 2023 deadline TBD (application opens January 2023)

Students may submit a one-act, non-musical play of at least ten pages to YouthPLAYS for consideration . Plays should be appropriate for high school audiences and contain at least two characters, with one or more of those characters being youths in age-appropriate roles. Large casts with multiple female roles are encouraged.

One winner will receive $250, have their play published by YouthPLAYS, and receive a copy of Great Dialog , a program for writing dialog. One runner up will receive $100 and a copy of Great Dialog.

Students must be under the age of 19, and plays must be the work of a single author.

The Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest

• Deadline: Spring of each year

Students in grade 11 may submit a ten-minute play for consideration for the Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest . Plays should be 10 pages long, equivalent to 10 minutes.

One first-prize winner will receive $500, one second-prize winner will receive $250, and one third-prize will receive $100.

All entries must be from students in the 11th grade .

Poetry Writing Contests for High School Students

For those who prefer a little free verse or the constraints of a haiku, there are plenty of poetry-specific contests, too.

Creative Communications Poetry Contest

• Award Amount: $25
• Deadline: December

Students in ninth grade or below may submit any poem of 21 lines or less (not counting spaces between stanzas) for consideration in the Creative Communications Poetry Contest .

Students may win $25, a free book, and school supplies for their teacher .

Public, private, or home-schooled US students (including those in detention centers) in kindergarten through ninth grade may enter.

Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize

• Award Amount: $500-$1500
• Deadline: November 

Students in 11th grade may submit up to three poems for consideration in the Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize . Submissions are due in November .

One first-prize winner will receive $1500, one second-prize winner will receive $750, and a third-prize winner will receive $500. Poems may be published on arts.princeton.edu. All entrants must be in the 11th grade.

Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

• Award Amount: $500 - $5,000 renewable scholarship, $350 cash prize
• Deadline: October 31, 2022

Women poets who are sophomores or juniors in high school may submit two poems for consideration for the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest .

One first-place winner will receive a $350 cash prize, publication in and ten copies of Cargoes , Hollins' student magazine, as well as a renewable scholarship of up to $5,000 for Hollins and free tuition and housing for the Hollinsummer creative writing program. One second-place winner will receive publication in and two copies of Cargoes, a renewable scholarship to Hollins of up to $1,000, and a $500 scholarship to attend Hollinsummer.

Applicants must be female students in their sophomore or junior year of high school .

What's Next?

If you're looking for more money opportunities for college , there are plenty of scholarships out there— including some pretty weird ones .

For those who've been buffing up their test scores , there are tons of scholarships , some in the thousands of dollars.

If you're tired of writing essays and applying for scholarships, consider some of these colleges that offer complete financial aid packages .

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Jump to navigation Skip to content

Search form

• P&W on Facebook
• P&W on Twitter
• P&W on Instagram

Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff. In the Literary Magazines database you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, contact information—everything you need to know before submitting your work to the publications that share your vision for your work.

Whether you’re pursuing the publication of your first book or your fifth, use the Small Presses database to research potential publishers, including submission guidelines, tips from the editors, contact information, and more.

Research more than one hundred agents who represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kinds of books they’re interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them.

Every week a new publishing professional shares advice, anecdotes, insights, and new ways of thinking about writing and the business of books.

Find publishers ready to read your work now with our Open Reading Periods page, a continually updated resource listing all the literary magazines and small presses currently open for submissions.

Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing.

Our series of subject-based handbooks (PDF format; $4.99 each) provide information and advice from authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers. Now available: The Poets & Writers Guide to Publicity and Promotion, The Poets & Writers Guide to the Book Deal, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents, The Poets & Writers Guide to MFA Programs, and The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests.

Find a home for your work by consulting our searchable databases of writing contests, literary magazines, small presses, literary agents, and more.

Poets & Writers lists readings, workshops, and other literary events held in cities across the country. Whether you are an author on book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience.

Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets.

Research newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications that consistently publish book reviews using the Review Outlets database, which includes information about publishing schedules, submission guidelines, fees, and more.

Well over ten thousand poets and writers maintain listings in this essential resource for writers interested in connecting with their peers, as well as editors, agents, and reading series coordinators looking for authors. Apply today to join the growing community of writers who stay in touch and informed using the Poets & Writers Directory.

Let the world know about your work by posting your events on our literary events calendar, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

Find a writers group to join or create your own with Poets & Writers Groups. Everything you need to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other poets and writers—all in one place.

Find information about more than two hundred full- and low-residency programs in creative writing in our MFA Programs database, which includes details about deadlines, funding, class size, core faculty, and more. Also included is information about more than fifty MA and PhD programs.

Whether you are looking to meet up with fellow writers, agents, and editors, or trying to find the perfect environment to fuel your writing practice, the Conferences & Residencies is the essential resource for information about well over three hundred writing conferences, writers residencies, and literary festivals around the world.

Discover historical sites, independent bookstores, literary archives, writing centers, and writers spaces in cities across the country using the Literary Places database—the best starting point for any literary journey, whether it’s for research or inspiration.

Search for jobs in education, publishing, the arts, and more within our free, frequently updated job listings for writers and poets.

Establish new connections and enjoy the company of your peers using our searchable databases of MFA programs and writers retreats, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

• Register for Classes

Each year the Readings & Workshops program provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops. Learn more about this program, our special events, projects, and supporters, and how to contact us.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community, providing them with a network for professional advancement.

Find information about how Poets & Writers provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops.

Bring the literary world to your door—at half the newsstand price. Available in print and digital editions, Poets & Writers Magazine is a must-have for writers who are serious about their craft.

View the contents and read select essays, articles, interviews, and profiles from the current issue of the award-winning Poets & Writers Magazine .

Read essays, articles, interviews, profiles, and other select content from Poets & Writers Magazine as well as Online Exclusives.

View the covers and contents of every issue of Poets & Writers Magazine , from the current edition all the way back to the first black-and-white issue in 1987.

Every day the editors of Poets & Writers Magazine scan the headlines—publishing reports, literary dispatches, academic announcements, and more—for all the news that creative writers need to know.

In our weekly series of craft essays, some of the best and brightest minds in contemporary literature explore their craft in compact form, articulating their thoughts about creative obsessions and curiosities in a working notebook of lessons about the art of writing.

The Time Is Now offers weekly writing prompts in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to help you stay committed to your writing practice throughout the year. Sign up to get The Time Is Now, as well as a weekly book recommendation for guidance and inspiration, delivered to your inbox.

Every week a new author shares books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired and shaped the creative process.

Listen to original audio recordings of authors featured in Poets & Writers Magazine . Browse the archive of more than 400 author readings.

Ads in Poets & Writers Magazine and on pw.org are the best ways to reach a readership of serious poets and literary prose writers. Our audience trusts our editorial content and looks to it, and to relevant advertising, for information and guidance.

Start, renew, or give a subscription to Poets & Writers Magazine ; change your address; check your account; pay your bill; report a missed issue; contact us.

Peruse paid listings of writing contests, conferences, workshops, editing services, calls for submissions, and more.

Poets & Writers is pleased to provide free subscriptions to Poets & Writers Magazine to award-winning young writers and to high school creative writing teachers for use in their classrooms.

Read select articles from the award-winning magazine and consult the most comprehensive listing of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prizewinners available in print.

• Subscribe Now

Showcasing Senior Writers

• Printable Version
• Log in to Send
• Log in to Save

Paula Rodenas is the author of  The Random House Book of Horses and Horsemanship and a freelance writer for numerous magazines and newspapers, including Town & Country, Travel & Leisure, and the Horse Directory. She has edited books for Arco and Exposition Press and received awards from the Press Club of Long Island . She teaches creative writing for local adult education programs, and for more than twenty years has led the Merrick Senior Center’s Creative Writing Workshop, a sixteen-week program sponsored by Poets & Writers and the Town of Hempstead Department of Senior Enrichment . A lifelong horse lover, much of her subject matter as a writer has involved horses and she currently contributes to a thoroughbred racing column for a magazine in Long Island, New York . Rodenas has been invited to many foreign press trips for her work as a journalist.

Anyone who believes senior citizens cannot learn and improve should think again!

I have been leading a creative writing workshop for people ages sixty and up at the Merrick Senior Center for more than twenty years. I’ve always enjoyed one-on-one relationships with other writers and this workshop allows me the opportunity to share and appreciate the progress of the participants.

Each week I give an assignment, but I emphasize that it is more of a guideline than a “must.” We have produced poetry, prose, memoirs, fiction and, for the stage, short dialogues or mini-plays that we call “vignettes.” The work is read aloud and critiqued by members of the group with a positive approach, building upon the foundation as opposed to tearing it apart.

The program presently runs for sixteen weeks each year between late February and mid-June, and meets once a week for two hours. At the end of the sessions, we hold a presentation at our local community theater, the Merrick Theater and Center for the Arts , offering free admission to the public, followed by an informal coffee hour. This enables the writers to mingle with the audience. We also publish a booklet in the fall entitled, “Musings of Maturity” which contains our most recent writings. We thus have two venues, one audio and one visual, in which to feature our work.

Our program has been well-received within the community. In 2012, we were featured in a special weekend edition of the Long Island newspaper, Newsday . In 2013, we made the front page of the Herald Weekly . Our theater presentations have been recorded and sent to nursing homes, and “Musings of Maturity” is shared with local libraries.

What makes our group special is a strong camaraderie that makes it feel like family. Deep emotions are often revealed—there are tears and laughter. Older writers draw on a lifetime of experience and wisdom. Our participants have an optimistic outlook, remembering the past, but also thinking ahead. Writers of any age need support and encouragement, and it has been a pleasure to see senior writers develop and gain recognition in the community.

Photo: Paula Rodenas and the Merrick Seniors.  Photo Credit: Nat Watson.

Support for Readings & Workshops in New York is provided, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts , with additional support from the Friends of Poets & Writers .

merrybenezra replied on July 10, 2014 - 7:28pm Permalink

I am frankly tired of this Look at the Preaching Dog!! approach to writers over -- what? -- 55?  If we are "still writing" is it because we are human beings with functioning skills and an undying passion. The experience:exuberance trade-off with our younger selves nets a skill set that is completely viable. It's just not a big deal so stop it. 

(Teaching elders who never dared to write anything beyond a shopping list is another story altogether, and should be labeled as such.)

Congratulations to the 2022 Senior Essay Prize Nominees and Winners!

Each year, 30-50 students write a senior essay in economics. This year, these essays spanned topics across all fields of economics, including unemployment benefits, auction design, international climate agreements, child labor, and college admission policies. The top essays are nominated for prizes by the student’s advisor and a second reader from the department. A committee of Economics faculty members read and select the winning essays, and the prizes are awarded on commencement day during the students’ respective college ceremonies.

The prizes are as follows:

• The Charles Heber Dickerman Memorial Prize: the best departmental essay(s).
• The Ronald Meltzer/Cornelia Awdziewicz Economic Award: runner-up(s) for the Dickerman Prize.
• The Ellington Prize: the best departmental essay in the field of finance.

This year, nine senior essays were nominated: Michael Barresi, Kueho Choi, Jack Hirsch, Kamila Janmohamed, Jack Kelly, Aiden Lee, Salma Shaheen, Siddarth Shankar, and Brian Zhu.

The Dickerman Prize for the Best Senior Essay goes this year to two recipients: Kamila Janmohamed (“Estimating Policy Effects with Staggered Implementation and Multiple Periods: Another Look at Family Caps”) and Jack Hirsch (“Optimal Auction Mechanisms in the Presence of Regret”).  The Meltzer/Awdziewicz Prize goes to Michael Barresi (“Unilateral Carbon Policies and Multilateral Coalitions: An Analysis of Coalition Stability under the Optimal Unilateral Policy”). The Ellington Prize for the best essay in finance goes to Brian Zhu (“Regime-Switching Factor Models with Applications Portfolio Selection and Demand Estimation”).

Yale College also awarded the Wrexham Prize for the best senior essay in the Social Sciences to Kamila Janmohamed for her above-mentioned essay.

The essays for all the nominees and winners are posted below:

Michael Barresi: “ Unilateral Carbon Policies and Multilateral Coalitions: An Analysis of Coalition Stability under the Optimal Unilateral Policy ” (Advisor: Samuel Kortum)

This essay derives a theoretically optimal unilateral carbon tax for a multi-country world and quantifies the performance of that tax in light of the free-rider problem by calibrating the theoretical solution to real world data.

Kueho Choi: “ Unemployment Insurance and Job Quality: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic ”  (Advisor: Giuseppe Moscarini)

This essay explores the effect of unemployment insurance (UI) on the quality (rather than quantity) of employment, focusing on the broad-based policies enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using micro data from the Current Population Survey and a new dataset with more precise estimates of UI receipt, the paper finds that the pandemic-era UI supplements had no significant effect on reemployment job quality.

Jack Hirsch: “ Optimal Auction Mechanisms in the Presence of Regret ”  (Advisor: Dirk Bergemann)

This paper considers an auction model that incorporates a penalty for regret into bidder utility functions to study how bidders change their bidding strategy, and how those changes affect the seller’s revenue. The essay classifies the full family of mechanisms that maximize seller revenue and characterize the effects of regret on optimal bidding behavior and seller revenue of several commonly employed auctions. 

Kamila Janmohamed:  “ Estimating Policy Effects With Staggered Implementation and Multiple Periods: Another Look at Family Caps ” (Advisor: Cormac O’Dea)

This paper applies recent advances in the differences-in-differences literature to evaluate the effects of family caps: a set of policies that freeze US welfare recipients’ benefits at a level based on the size of their family when they began receiving welfare. By exploiting variation in the timing and stringency of their implementation, Kamila finds that family caps have failed to achieve their stated aims and may be counterproductive. 

Jack Kelly: “ Who Benefits From Multiple Choice(s)?: The Equilibrium Impacts of Test-Optional College Admissions ”  (Advisor: Jason Abaluck)

This paper examines increasingly prevalent “test-optional” college admissions policies, whereby students need not send their SAT or ACT scores to gain admission. Jack developed a method to estimate the causal impact of switching to test-optionality on the composition of admitted students, and applies this method to a proprietary data set from a test-optional college.

Aiden Lee: “ The Motherhood Penalty: Assessing the Labor Market Effects of Childcare Closures During the COVID-19 ” (Advisor: Fabrizio Zilibotti)

This project measured the effect of childcare center closures on individuals’ labor market decisions, for instance, their likelihood to reduce hours or leave the labor force altogether. It also examined how government aid affected a childcare center’s likelihood of permanent closure during the pandemic.

Salma Shaheen: “ The Impact of Violent Political Conflict on Child Labor: Evidence from the Palestinian Territories ” (Advisor: Ceren Baysan)

This paper uses locality-level panel data from the Palestinian Labor Force Survey (PLFS) to study the effect of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on child labor among ten to fourteen-year-old individuals in the West Bank between 1999 and 2016. The analysis combines data on conflict-related violence (e.g. fatalities and prisoners) and conflict-infrastructure (e.g. checkpoints and the separation wall) to construct various accurate measures of an individual’s exposure to conflict intensity. Exploiting the temporal and geographical variation in these measures, Salma shows that multiple aspects of conflict affect child labor in different directions and with different magnitudes.

Siddarth Shankar: “ Cities in the Information Age Are Information-Intensive Firms Contributing to Urban Inequality? ” (Advisor: Sun Kyoung Lee)

This paper analyzes the effect of information-intensive job growth on wages, amenities, and housing costs for high- and low- skilled workers in metropolitan statistical areas across the United States.

Brian Zhu: “ Regime-switching factor models with applications to portfolio selection and demand estimation ” (Advisor: Xiaohong Chen)

Regime-switching factor models (RSFMs) are useful in capturing the cyclical nature of returns in certain asset classes. In this essay, Brian presents closed-form update rules for expectation-maximization algorithms used to estimate RSFMs, and shows how their regime-switching framework has applications in portfolio selection and demand estimation. 

In addition to essays, The Department of Economics awarded two additional prizes to graduating seniors majoring in economics: the Laun Prize for an outstanding course record in all courses taken at Yale College goes to Daniel Yen and the Massee Prize for an outstanding record in economics courses goes to Jack Kelly .

Congratulations to all of these seniors for their exceptional accomplishments!

• About Ayn Rand
• Novels & Works
• Newsletter Sign Up

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Students      >      Essay Contests      >     Atlas Shrugged

✓    Open to all high school, college, and graduate students worldwide.

Annual Grand Prize

June 14, 2024

Summer Entry Deadline

Book Length

Interested in participating?

Fill out the contact form below, and we’ll email you with more information about this year’s contest—including instructions on how to enter.

Thank you for signing up!

We’ll email you more information about this year’s contest—including instructions on how to enter. In the meantime, please let us know at [email protected] if you have any questions. We’re happy to help.

What is Atlas Shrugged?

The astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did.

Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is unlike any other book you have ever read. It is a mystery story, not about the murder of a man’s body, but about the murder—and rebirth—of man’s spirit.

How It Works

Every three months there is a new seasonal entry round, with its own unique essay prompt. You may compete in any or all of these entry rounds.

The top three essays from each season will be awarded a cash prize. The first-place essay from each season will advance to compete for the annual grand prize.

The first-place essay from each season will be eligible to contend for the annual first-place title, with the opportunity to secure a grand prize of $25,000.

Challenging Essay Topics

Each entry round features a unique topic designed to provoke a deeper understanding of the book’s central themes and characters.

Essays must be written in English only and be between 800 and 1,600 words in length.

Questions? Write to us at [email protected] .

• Summer Prompt
• Fall Prompt
• Winter Prompt

The essay prompt for our fall entry period has not yet been determined. We will post it here as soon it’s available.

The essay prompt for our winter entry period has not yet been determined. We will post it here as soon it’s available.

Grand Prize

Master our grading standards.

Essays are judged on whether the student is able to justify and argue for his or her view, not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. 

Our graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized.  Essays should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel. 

Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged .

Organization

Understanding, contest timeline, discover the power of atlas shrugged.

Atlas Shrugged  is a mystery novel like no other. You enter a world where scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and inventors are inexplicably vanishing—where the world is crumbling.

And what you discover, by the end, is an uplifting vision of life, an inspiring cast of heroes, and a challenging new way to think about life’s most important issues.

Learn more and request a free digital copy of the book today.

Learn from Past Winners

Curious to know what makes for a winning essay in the Atlas Shrugged   contest? Check out some of the essays written by our most recent grand-prize winners. 

To varying degrees, they all display an excellent grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged .

Click here to see the full list of 2022 contest winners.

Jacob Fisher

Graduate Student

Stanford University

Stanford, California

United States

Mariah Williams

Regis University

Denver, Colorado

Nathaniel Shippee

University of Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Samuel Weaver

St. John’s College

Annapolis, Maryland

Patrick Mayles

Graduate student

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Christina Jeong

College Student

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

Improve Your Writing Skills

Other than endorsing perfect punctuation and grammar in English, the Ayn Rand Institute offers no advice or feedback for essays submitted to its contests. However, we do recommend the following resources as ways to improve the content of your essays.

The Atlas Project

Writing: a mini-course.

Sign Up for Contest Updates!

Want to stay up-to-date on any new developments to the contest? Sign up to our email list below.

We’ll send you periodic reminders about the contest deadlines, as well as helpful resources to ensure you get the most out of your experience reading and writing about Ayn Rand’s  Atlas Shrugged .

Great! Let's get you a copy of the book.

Atlas Shrugged is a mystery novel like no other. You enter a world where scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and inventors are inexplicably vanishing—where the world is crumbling.

What you discover, by the end, is an uplifting vision of life, an inspiring cast of heroes, and a challenging new way to think about life’s most important issues.

You're almost there!

Enter your school details below to receive a free digital copy of Atlas Shrugged .

Let's log you in to your account.

Success! Let's log you in to your account.

We've received your request for a free copy of Atlas Shrugged and will be emailing you details on how you can access it shortly. In the meantime, are you ready to begin the entry process?

Please enter your password below, either to create a new account or to sign in to your existing account for the contest. Once you're logged in to your account, you'll be able to save your entry progress and return later to complete it.

Hi, . Ready to enter the contest?

Now that you've logged in to your account, let's get you started on your entry for the contest. It's OK if you haven't finished reading the book or writing your essay yet. We'll save your progress for you to continue later.

Then, when you're ready to submit your essay, just return to our platform. Your saved entry will be right where you left off. So, why wait? Take the first step, and start your entry today.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Ayn Rand Global
• Ayn Rand Institute eStore
• Ayn Rand University App

Updates From ARI

Copyright © 1985 – 2024 The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI). Reproduction of content and images in whole or in part is prohibited. All rights reserved. ARI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law. Objectivist Conferences (OCON), Ayn Rand Conference (ARC), Ayn Rand University (ARU) and the Ayn Rand Institute eStore are operated by ARI. Payments to OCON, ARC, ARU or the Ayn Rand Institute eStore do not qualify as tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. AYN RAND, AYN RAND INSTITUTE, ARI, AYN RAND UNIVERSITY and the AYN RAND device are trademarks of the Ayn Rand Institute. All rights reserved.

41st Annual “A Senior I Know” Essay Contest Winners Announced

Today, the Department of Senior Affairs was joined by First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller to celebrate the winners of the 41 st Annual “A Senior I Know” Essay Contest.

Over 1,100 essays were submitted to this year’s contest, which encourages students in grades 1-5 to interview an older adult who has made a positive impact on their life and write an essay about what they learned.

“Not only does this contest encourage students to practice their writing skills, but it also highlights the importance of positive, cross-generational relationships,” said Director of Senior Affairs Anna Sanchez.

Six winners from each grade (30 total) were recognized during a celebration at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center on Wednesday that also commemorated Older Americans Month.

“Encouraging children to learn from and interact with the older adults in their lives fosters connections that bring us together,” said First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller . “This type of cross-generational engagement ultimately creates a stronger Albuquerque.”  

Contest winners were chosen by the “A Senior I Know” Volunteer Committee, which includes many retired educators.

To read this year’s winning essays, click here.

Senior Information Line

Seniors Affairs

505-764-6400

[email protected]

External Link Disclaimer

This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. The City assumes no responsibility for the content of the material contained at that site or for the accuracy of any information that is found there. The contents of any site or link not maintained by the City does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of the City of Albuquerque, its officials, agents or employees.

Questions: [email protected]

External Link:

Search Our Site

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Hibriten senior wins German embassy essay contest

May 20—Each year, the German embassy hosts a nationwide essay contest for students of grades 3-12 in the U.S., awarding a $200 prize to national winners and a $25 prize to local winners. 2024's local winner for Hibriten High School was senior Caiden Ingram for her essay on climate neutrality.

The contest is carried out through the German Information Center USA for the purpose of encouraging American students to research and learn about Germany. To that end the essay contest produces prompts designed to spark interest and inspire students to critically examine the world around them — and to see the relationships that exist between the U.S. and Germany. Previous prompts include examinations of the different German business in the US and the American businesses in Germany to see the interconnectedness between the countries' economies and an examination of the benefits and consequences of universal healthcare.

In 2024, two prompts were available. The first used the cultural phenomenon of "currywurst" to discuss traditions and food trends, while the second regarded Germany's goal of climate neutrality for 2045, and the ways that society will have to change to accomplish that goal. HHS German teacher Sascha Sanderlin selected the second prompt for his senior students, believing it to be a better topic of discussion given his classes' discussion of Germany's recycling and sustainability programs.

"Picture yourself," the 2024 prompt read, "as mayor of a small town and you are looking for ways to become climate-neutral. You've examined the buildings, transportation and personal habits of your residents. There are many places you could start. What are some ideas the first ideas you can think of to start making changes?"

Ingram used her essay to discuss pollution from CO2 emissions and plastic waste, noting that the U.S. emits more than double the world average of C02 per capita, and that 88% of the sea's surface is polluted with plastic waste. Ingram discussed individual actions such as carpooling and recycling that can lead to decreased pollution.

She mentioned Lenoir's recycling plant specifically, saying, "My hometown is aware that at some point, everyone is going to use plastics. We are also aware that we are responsible for ensuring that the plastic is taken care of properly after it is no longer within our use. If other cities prioritize recycling too, they would be able to see a decrease in pollution within their city."

"I hadn't thought a lot about it until we started the essay," Ingram said. "People don't take the time to separate trash."

Sanderlin believes that the essay contest is good for the students, that it provides an "actual tangible reward" for writing the essay. He also mentioned that the contest provides an opportunity for him to learn from his students as well. Among other common threads through the student essays, Sanderlin mentioned that many of his students discussed the emission cost of clothes waste — of people throwing away their clothes, which he says the students learned was a big methane producer.

Sanderlin enlisted the help of several English teachers at Hibriten to judge the essays, saying "I am thankful that Hibriten students and faculty are always willing to help out each other."

Recommended Stories

Fox's greg olsen wins emmy for best nfl analyst right before getting replaced by tom brady.

Fox Sports is going to spend $375 million to replace an Emmy winner.

NBA playoffs: Jaylen Brown's clutch 3 stuns Indiana as Celtics rip Game 1 from Pacers in OT

The Pacers appeared to have a Game 1 upset in hand.

Barry Bonds to be enshrined in Hall of Fame — no, not that one

Bonds will join his former manager Jim Leyland as a member of the Pirates' Hall of Fame.

Fantasy resume refresh: Guys who need to reboot their careers in 2024 | Yahoo Fantasy Football Show

Matt Harmon is back from vacation and feeling refreshed. In his return to the pod, he asks which players need a fantasy refresh in 2024. Andy Behrens joins Harmon on the pod as they try to identify 10 candidates that need a fantasy reputation reboot this upcoming season.

Mother sues LaMelo Ball after he allegedly drove over 11-year-old son's foot and broke it at a fan event

LaMelo Ball allegedly drove away and ran over an 11-year-old's foot when he was trying to get Ball's autograph at a Hornets fan event last fall.

The best Memorial Day 2024 outdoor deals: Save up to 75% on yard gear, pool accessories and more

Grab bestselling Fiskars pruning shears for just $14, and save $150 on a nifty pool robot that'll suck leaves and bugs out of the water.

a16z's American Dynamism team launches program to introduce technical minds to VC

From a16z's new $7.2 billion fund, around $600 million is earmarked for American Dynamism. The 12-month American Dynamism Engineering Fellows Program will take around three technologists on a investment crash course, with the fellows spending the year learning about venture investing, working alongside the partners to evaluate potential investments, and engaging with the fund’s portfolio of industrial companies.

Sperm counts have been declining for decades. Are microplastics partly to blame?

A new study detected microplastics, such as ones found in plastic bottles and bags, in human testes. How harmful is that for male fertility?

Cubs demote Kyle Hendricks, last remaining member of 2016 World Series team, to bullpen amid brutal start

Hendricks currently holds a 10.57 ERA.

Experience comfort while camping with the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 – now 25% off at REI

Save over $100 off this sleeping pad thanks to REI's anniversary sale and ensure a good night's sleep on your next camping trip.

Justin Fields on Steelers QB situation, Russell Wilson: 'I'm definitely competing. Russ knows that'

"I'm nowhere near my ceiling," Fields said. Wilson told reporters: "I don't blink."

Carl Edwards and Ricky Rudd elected to NASCAR Hall of Fame

Edwards won 28 races from 2004-2016 while Rudd had 23 victories over 33 seasons.

Best and worst NFL offseasons with the Ringer's Steven Ruiz | The Exempt List

Charles McDonald is joined by Steven Ruiz of The Ringer to break down which teams had the best and worst offseasons in the NFL

Uber's and Lyft's ride-hailing deal with Minnesota comes at a cost

Uber and Lyft drivers in Minnesota will see higher pay thanks to a deal between the state and the country's two largest ride-hailing companies. The upshot: a new law that gives some protections to drivers while placing limits on state government. The bill, which Governor Tim Walz has supported publicly and is expected to sign, stipulates that starting January 1, 2025, drivers will be entitled to earn at least $1.28 per mile and $0.31 per minute.

Teen fintech Copper had to abruptly discontinue its banking, debit products

Copper Banking, a digital banking service aimed at teens, notified its customers on May 12 that it would be discontinuing bank deposit accounts and debit cards on May 13. In a letter to customers, CEO and co-founder Eddie Behringer said the company had learned the previous week that the banking middleware provider they used, Synapse, was sunsetting its service “imminently.” "Despite our prior planning, this event has forced us to close banking accounts much sooner than expected,” he wrote.

‘A different vibe’: Amid upheaval and controversy, Raheem Morris looks to bring a new culture to Atlanta

It’s early yet, but the first days of the Morris era have drawn positive reviews.

How mechanical breakdown insurance works and what it covers

What is mechanical breakdown insurance, and is it worth it?

Angel Reese, aspiring business mogul, named newest part-owner of DC Power FC

Give Angel Reese five years and she just might rule the WNBA.

Engadget Podcast: Microsoft's Surface and Windows head on Copilot+ AI PCs

In this bonus episode, Devindra chats with Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's head of Windows and Devices, about the new Surface devices and the Copilot+ PC initiative.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves fails to qualify for Korn Ferry Tour event: ‘I was nervous’

Austin Reaves carded a 6-over 76 on Monday in his attempt to qualify for the Knoxville Open.

The Winner of Our Senior Essay Contest: A Love Song for Deborah

• Newest first
• Oldest first

Virginia Gazette Opinion | World Focus: W&M essay winner looks at US…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

• Virginia Gazette Public Notices
• Gazette E-paper

Virginia Gazette

Virginia gazette opinion, virginia gazette opinion | world focus: w&m essay winner looks at us strategy.

The Monitor is dedicated to expanding general awareness of current events involving foreign policy. It is an interdisciplinary publication committed to serving an increasingly global world.

The 2023/2024 issue of the Monitor featured a variety of rigorously researched, well-written essays by William & Mary students. They commented with insight on the problems plaguing the world.

The essay by Lilly Doninger, “Operation Imagination: Reimagining U.S. Strategic Design Based on Vietnam Failures,” however, stands out.

It justifiably won the first prize in the Monitor competition.

Doninger is a senior at William & Mary studying international relations and Hispanic studies. She will be continuing her education at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where she will get her master’s degree in strategy, cybersecurity and intelligence.

While at William & Mary, Doninger has participated in and led many academic projects. She held internships at the U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command, the U.S. Army War College and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Doninger hopes to apply what she has learned at William & Mary into a future career in military operations analysis.

In fact, she is already doing it. Her essay may serve as an example, paraphrasing Colonial Williamsburg’s motto, “That the future may learn from the past.”

In the introduction to her essay, Doninger says: “The minute the United States pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, the U.S. opened itself up to a future of uncertainty in terms of military planning and strategy. The era of counterterrorism was over. China and Russia continued to be looming threats, so the only way to characterize the expected future was great power competition.”

Doninger quoted the 2017 National Security strategy paper, asserting that after being dismissed as a phenomenon of an earlier century great power, competition has returned.

“Since the modern age of warfare, the United States has done this kind of thematic characterization to help guide the planners of tactical operations,” Doninger says. “The characterizations are devoid of nuance, the problem therein lies in the classic American strategic binaries — counterinsurgency or great power competition.”

She continued: “As the United States continues to develop technologically at a similar rate to China, any potential future confrontation will not depend on conventional ability, but rather who can out-nuance the other. A future U.S.-China war would require a complex combination by tactical approaches including adaptability to regular combat techniques, ability to navigate changing terrain and understanding of multidimensional aggressors.”

In her Monitor essay, Doninger uses historical analogies to U.S. strategic failures in the Vietnam War to help explain the importance for more comprehensive and imaginative military strategy when preparing for potential confrontation with China.

The Vietnam War analogy suggests ample recommendations for how the U.S. should proceed in time of tactical uncertainty as it remains the most prominent example of hybrid warfare battlefield in modern military history.

According to Doninger, the Vietnam case is incredibly relevant to the modern strategic context. “The U.S. has once again started to put significant energy into conventional warfare in light of the renewed shift to great power competition after the War on Terror,” she says. “As seen in Vietnam, an emphasis on one style of war may result in an adversary exploitation of vulnerabilities in other, more irregular styles.”

Concluding her essay, Doninger says, “The Vietnam analogy suggest that there needs to be early training, exercising, and preparation for complex threat environments, even when the overwhelming indication may be conventional warfare.”

Frank Shatz is a Williamsburg resident. He is the author of “Reports from a Distant Place,” the compilation of his selected columns. The book is available at the Bruton Parish Shop and Amazon.com.

More in Virginia Gazette Opinion

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Virginia gazette opinion | commentary: how to get past our williamsburg bubble and help our planet.

Virginia Gazette Opinion | Building a bigger table for resilience

Virginia Gazette Opinion | Commentary: Your time investment in our community

Virginia gazette opinion | letters to the gazette, trending nationally.

• Cyberattacks on Ascension, Lurie are the latest in a string of health care breaches
• Clergy abuse survivors testify in Catholic church bankruptcy case: ‘Do you see me now?’
• How California’s bursting budget morphed into a $45 billion deficit in just two years
• From teen mom to a doctorate, with a major medical scare in between
• People discover a tiny Connecticut town because of its famous homemade ice cream

Fairhope rising senior 1 of 8 to win songwriting contest, earns scholarship

FAIRHOPE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Music has always been a huge part of Sydney Gray’s life.

“I’ve been writing since forever,” Gray said. “I remember back in 2nd grade I gave a book full of writing and illustrations to a third-grade teacher and since then, I’ve just been writing, writing, writing and one day transferred over to musical theater.”

Sydney’s love for musical theater prompted her to write a musical called Anavaly, which is about a teen girl struggling to fit in at school and home.

In her musical, Sydney wrote a song called “Little Miss Heard But Not Seen,” which is the song she entered into the contest and sang, winning over the judges.

“Especially in the song, it relates to me and my experiences growing up, and I feel like it’s a good anthem for other introverted neurodivergent kids who want to put themselves out there but consistently face backlash when they do so,” Gray said. “It’s a feel-good song and an anthem for kids like me.”

Sydney was one of eight winners nationwide. She earned a $2,500 scholarship and will head to New York City to watch her song be performed on Broadway.

“I couldn’t imagine anything better,” Gray said. “It’s giving me a headstart. This is what I want to do with my life. I want to keep writing for musical theater and keep chasing this dream and a great kick start to having my song being played on Broadway.”

Broadway artists will perform her song in New York on June 17.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Here’s Why Republicans Are Focusing on Voting by Noncitizens

House Republicans are pushing legislation to crack down on voting by noncitizens, which is allowed in some local elections but illegal — and exceedingly rare — at the federal level.

By Minho Kim

Reporting from Washington

House Republicans are pushing legislation to crack down on voting by noncitizens, part of an effort to sow doubts about the election outcome and take aim at immigrants who they say have no business participating in elections in the United States.

They are planning on Wednesday to push through a bill that would roll back a Washington, D.C., law allowing noncitizen residents of the nation’s capital to vote in local elections. And they are pushing legislation that would require states to obtain proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, in person when registering an individual to vote and require states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls.

Neither is likely to pass the Democratic-led Senate or be signed by President Biden, but both are ways for Republicans to call attention to their false claims of widespread illegal voting by noncitizens.

Former President Donald J. Trump has long claimed in the face of evidence to the contrary that presidential and congressional elections are susceptible to widespread voter fraud and illegal voting by undocumented immigrants who have skewed the outcomes in favor of Democrats — a charge that House Republicans have echoed.

Here are the facts about noncitizen voting and the false claims that foreign nationals swing close elections in one party’s favor.

More than a dozen cities and towns across the country allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.

There has long been a policy debate in the United States about whether voting rights should be afforded at the municipal level to foreign nationals regardless of immigration status, as most of them pay comparable levels of taxes to U.S. citizens, contribute to their local economies and send their children to local schools.

Residents with foreign passports can cast ballots for candidates for mayor, school board, city council and commissioner in at least 14 municipalities whose state constitutions do not explicitly ban noncitizens from voting in local contests. Nearly all of the towns are in the deep-blue states of Maryland, Vermont and California.

Most local measures giving ballot access to noncitizens face court challenges. One such law in San Francisco that survived a legal challenge allows undocumented parents to vote for the members of their public school board. But in 2022, the New York State Supreme Court struck down a New York City law that gave partial voting rights to more than 800,000 noncitizens.

Noncitizens rarely cast ballots in local elections even when they are allowed to do so. In Washington, D.C., where roughly 15 percent of the 700,000 residents are foreign-born, only around 500 noncitizens had registered to vote as of Monday, according to data provided by the District of Columbia Board of Elections. The District has more than 400,000 registered voters.

It’s illegal — and extremely rare — for noncitizens to vote in federal elections.

Although noncitizens can vote in some local elections, they are barred by law from voting in federal elections for president or Congress, and research shows it almost never happens.

A study by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University looked at 23.5 million votes cast in the 2016 presidential election in more than 40 jurisdictions and found only 30 incidents of potential noncitizen voting — or 0.0001 percent of the votes cast.

An audit by the state of Georgia conducted in 2022 reached a similar conclusion after finding fewer than 1,700 cases of noncitizens attempting to register to vote in the previous 25 years . None of them were allowed to vote.

David Becker, the director for the Center for Election Innovation and Research, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, said states had been “very effective” in ensuring that only U.S. citizens remain on the voter rolls for federal elections. That’s largely because of the Real ID act , which has required states to verify residents’ immigration or citizenship status before issuing an official identification card.

“There’s never been more transparency around these elections, and that’s verifiable,” Mr. Becker said. “There are very, very few people for whom citizenship status cannot be confirmed.”

Noncitizens have major disincentives to vote in federal elections.

Registering to vote draws the highest level of scrutiny from state officials and law enforcement, something that undocumented immigrants or those whose legal status in the United States is unsettled are exceedingly unlikely to want.

Those who have studied the topic say that immigrants have every reason to avoid calling attention to themselves in that way. Voting illegally is a felony that could entail jail time, a fine and deportation.

If a noncitizen “was caught registering to vote, or voting — this is actually a question on the citizenship exam — they will be deported,” Mr. Becker said.

Republicans and election deniers have cited faulty figures to suggest illegal noncitizen voting is widespread.

A witness at a House hearing last week on election integrity cited a faulty report from 2020 suggesting that around 15 percent of noncitizens routinely vote in federal elections. The estimate, to which election-deniers often refer, is based on an earlier study whose survey data appeared to indicate that a significant chunk of foreign nationals voted in 2008.

But those numbers are a result of unscientific cherry-picking from a survey of just 20,000 people designed for a different purpose, said Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute, a Washington-based think tank. A close look at the survey results shows that most of the respondents who said they were foreign nationals and had voted in the past were in fact American citizens who had mistakenly chosen the wrong answer to the citizenship question.

“These numbers simply aren’t believable,” Mr. Olson said. “They aren’t consistent with what we know from the various other sources.”

Still, Representative Bryan Steil, Republican of Wisconsin and chairman of the Committee on House Administration, warned that the practice could spread. He pointed to a programming glitch in Pennsylvania that allowed noncitizens to register to vote and a review that found more than 100 noncitizens on Ohio voter rolls .

“American elections are for American citizens, and we intend to keep it that way,” Mr. Steil said.

Luke Broadwater contributed reporting.

State Historical Society announces winners of essay contest

Article Body

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 17, 2024

CONTACT:  Kevin Larsen, Media Coordinator, 605-773-6000, kevin.larsen@state.sd.us

PIERRE, S.D. – Three South Dakota fourth graders have been named winners of the South Dakota State Historical Society Historical Preservation Office’s annual Fourth Grade Student Essay Contest.

The “This Place Matters” Fourth Grade Student Essay Contest is a writing competition coordinated by the Historic Preservation Office as a component of their annual South Dakota Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month celebrated each May. Students are asked to write an essay about any South Dakota location that is at least 50 years old and explain why it is a favorite place and why it should be preserved. This year, there were a record 232 essays submitted from 28 different schools across the state.

Judges from the Historical Preservation Office read and ranked all the essays based on quality of writing, content and theme, and originality. The essay contest winners are as follows: 

• First place: “If Barn Walls Could Talk,” by Paisley Carter, Jolley Elementary School in Vermillion .
• Second place: “The Bait Shop,” by Sydnee Stevens, Gettysburg Elementary School.
• Third place: “212 Forest City Bridge,” by Chiles Heien from Gettysburg Elementary School.

These essays can be read at https://history.sd.gov/preservation/archhpmonth.aspx .

About the South Dakota State Historical Society

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered in Pierre. The center houses the society’s museum, archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development departments. For questions or memberships, call (605) 773-3458 or visit history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.

Sanatorium Valuyevo

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 13
• Very Good 22
• All languages ( 65 )
• Russian ( 65 )
• English ( 0 )

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

SANATORIUM VALUYEVO

Community Impact

Food for kids matching program 2022.

Sep 28, 2022 | News

Food for Kids MatchThe Grand Lodge of Oklahoma is once again partnering with Oklahoma's two largest food banks to combat childhood hunger. Starting on August 1, 2022 the Food for Kids Match campaign, in partnership with KOCO and Griffin Communications, the Regional...

Senior Essay 2022/2023

Aug 26, 2022 | News

Senior Essays The 2022 Senior Essay Contest has gone live for all public school high school seniors across the state of Oklahoma. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to highlight their abilities for creative writing and critical thinking. This program began...

Junior Achievement 2022

Mar 24, 2022 | News

On February 16, 2022 the Masonic Charity Foundation was honored once again to support and sponsor Junior Achievement's Inspire Career Fair for students. Through a generous $50,000 donation, the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma has made a substantial investment...

Teacher of the Year 2022

Mar 4, 2022 | News

On March 3, 2022 the Masonic Charity Foundation and the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma entered into our thirtieth year supporting the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Ceremony. Most Worshipful Master Scott Vincent was had the great honor of being the opening speaker for the...

Senior Essay Contest 2021

Feb 7, 2022 | News

2021 Senior Essay Contest Winners Congratulations to our Statewide winners! Certificates and prizes will be mailed to either your supporting Lodge or School.District winners will be notified via email and their certificates mailed.

Masonic Giving 2021

Dec 28, 2021 | News

In the wide world of philanthropy Charity is one of the fundamental pillars of Freemasonry. The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma had its roots started in 1899 with the Territorial Grand Lodges understanding the need for care for brethren, Masonic orphans,...

Freemasons and the Military

May 28, 2021 | News

History of Masons and the Military Masonry has many roots deeply tethered to the military and veterans. There are many stories that have been told about brother Masons, serving in opposing armies, who spared each other from death upon being recognized as fraternity...

Dale K. Graham Veteran’s Foundation

May 24, 2021 | News

2021 Grant RecipientDale K. Graham Veterans Foundation was one of several Oklahoma veteran organizations awarded a prestigious grant from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma. “Being awarded this grant is a tremendous honor”, says Jon Foti, CEO, “It means that...

Dean McGee Eye Institute

May 6, 2021 | News

2021 Grant RecipientThe Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) has received a grant of $260,000 from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to endow DMEI’s Distinguished Lecture Series. This series brings nationally and internationally prominent ophthalmologists to...

Payne Education Center

Apr 26, 2021 | News

2021 Grant RecipientPayne Education Center, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit teacher training and dyslexia advocacy center, was awarded a $150,000 grant from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to create both synchronous and asynchronous classes for teachers...