Teenagers throughout Pierce County have the opportunity to practice their creative skills, express themselves with words and images, earn cash prizes and see their work published in Pierce County Library System’s Teen Writing & Drawing Contest – Our Own Expressions.
“We are thrilled to offer a new contest this year that combines our successful teen writing and drawing contests into one creative venue,” said Neel Parikh, executive director of the Library System. “The contest should spark the interest and imaginations of tomorrow’s authors and artists.”
Now through Friday, March 5, teenagers in 7th – 12th grades, who live in or attend school in Pierce County, may enter the contest, on their own or with a team. Participation in the contest is free.
Teens may get entry forms and enter the contest at any Pierce County Library or online at www.piercecountylibrary.org, search site: OOX. Teenagers may also submit entries by mail to Pierce County Library System, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, WA 98446-2215. Students may use computers at Pierce County Libraries or their school library to download the entry forms and submit their entries.
Judges will review writing entries on the basis of originality, style, general presentation, grammar and spelling, and will review drawing entries on the basis of composition, evidence of skill commensurate with the age of the artist, creativity and an effective use of media.
Pierce County Library Foundation will award cash prizes of $50 to $100 in three age groups: 7th and 8th grade, 9th and 10th grade, and 11th and 12th grade; and in four categories: poetry, short story, manga and general drawing.
Contest winners will showcase their work at an awards ceremony at Pacific Lutheran University, Lagerquist Hall on June 2.
The Library System will publish all of the winning entries in books and distribute them throughout Pierce County Libraries and to the winning students’ schools.
In the most recent events, teenagers submitted more than 800 short stories and poems in the writing contest, and more than 200 drawings in the manga contest.
The News Tribune helps fund the contest.