This spring, we were delighted to host our second annual writing contest, receiving submissions from students all around the world. Our online writing instructors served as the judges, carefully reading each submission and choosing three winners in each age group.
Each winner will receive a cash prize plus a gift certificate:
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First Prize: $100 (for student) + $100 IEW gift certificate (for parent or teacher)
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Second Prize: $50 (for student) + $50 IEW gift certificate (for parent or teacher)
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Third Prize: $25 (for student) + $25 IEW gift certificate (for parent or teacher)
Level A (ages 8–11)
The assignment: President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." What work do you hope to do when you grow up, and what makes it worth doing? (1–3 paragraphs)
First Place: “From Race Car Driver to Doctor” by Ella Harline-
Second Place: “Work Worth Doing” by Reeves Baller
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Third Place: “Worthwhile Writing” by Morgan Hale
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Honorable Mentions: “The Value of Language” by Julianna Kvernen and “A Job Worth Doing” by Asher Perez
Read the winning entries here.
Level B (ages 12–14)
The prompt was the same as for Level A, with a length of 3–5 paragraphs.
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Second Place: “The Other CIA” by Christine Gasto
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Third Place: “Making the World a Better Place” by Kylie Barber
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Honorable Mentions: “Teaching Others Through Ornithology” by Courtney Swanson and “A Businessman” by Frankie Hale
Read the winning entries here.
Level C (ages 15–18)
The assignment: President John Quincy Adams observed, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." In what ways do you strive to be a leader by serving and inspiring others? (5–7 paragraphs)
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Second Place: "Leading With a Servant’s Heart" by Injee Hong
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Third Place: "A Quiet Leader" by Cheri Stutzman
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Honorable mentions: "A Meaningful Life" by Angelica Hall and "Silent Leader" by Haylen Schneller
Read the winning entries here.
Congratulations to each of the talented writers who placed in this contest, and great work to everyone who entered—it was hard to choose amongst so many well-written compositions!
We hope to see you again next year. In the meantime, check out our writing contests page for links to other contests you might like to enter.
