By Mary Getchell, Communications Director
Teenagers throughout Pierce County may show their creative talents in Pierce County Library System’s Teen Writing & Art Contest – Our Own Expressions, which runs now through Friday, March 4.
In addition to drawing and writing categories, for the first time students may submit photographs. In all students may compete within grade levels in four categories: poetry, short story, drawing, and/or photography.
“We eagerly anticipate another successful contest bursting with creative entries from our talented students in all categories,” said Neel Parikh, executive director of the Library System. “The contest gives teens a showcase to express themselves, and they can get published and earn cash prizes.”
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. 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 all four categories: poetry, short story, photography and drawing.
Now through Friday, March 4, teenagers in 7th – 12th grades, who live in or attend school in Pierce County, may enter the contest, individually or as 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, spelling, and evidence of skill appropriate for the writer’s age. They will review art entries on the basis of composition, evidence of skill commensurate with the age of the artist, creativity, and effective use of media.
Contest winners will feature their work in an awards ceremony at Pacific Lutheran University on Thursday, May 26.
In 2010, teenagers submitted more than 1,000 entries in the Our Own Expressions contest.
The News Tribune, Pacific Lutheran University, Print NW and Umpqua Bank help fund the contest.