Last Year's Contests (probably still offered this year)

Here are some essay contests and other award-based programs that are open to more than just seniors.

Many involve cash awards. Get an early start on saving money for college!

Ongoing contests

(entries accepted year-round) 

Grades 9-12, essay contest - Next Step Magazine - www.nextstepmag.com/shoutout

Too late for these, but keep them in mind for next year...

September deadlines  

09/17/08: Grades 12-high school graduate, essay contest on the novel Atlas Shrugged - www.aynrand.org/contests 

October deadlines

10/18/08:  Ages 15-18, drug awareness presentations - Moose Youth Awareness program - Give three presentations and recieve a $100 bond and the right to compete for scholarships up to $12,000 - call Sharron Miller, 644-7596.

10/31/08: Grades 9-12, community service award & scholarship competition - Prudential Spirit of Community Award - www.prudential.com/spirit

November deadlines

11/1/08: Grades 10-12, writing contest - Bennington Young Writers Competition - www.bennington.edu/news_bennyoungwriter.asp

11/1/08: Grades 9-12, write and record a 3-5 minute essay on "My role in honoring American Veterans" - Voice of Democracy competition - www.vfw.org

December deadlines

12/01/08: Grades 7-12, essay contest - The Fleet Reserve Association - write an essay on "What the US Flag Stands For" Visit the Career Center for an application

12/19/08: Grades 9-12, grants available - El Dorado Community Round Table on Human Rights - student-developed projects that reflect Martin Luther King's principles of nonviolence. Visit the Career Center for application.

12/31/08: Grades 11-12, essay contest - Frank O'Neill Memorial Scholarship - www.easyaid.com/scholarship_form.html

January deadlines

01/15/09: Grades 11-12, essay contest - Democrats of El Dorado County Essay - www.eldoradodemocrats.org - will write an essay about what they think should be the priorities of the new administration

February deadlines

 02/01/09: Grades 9-12, essay contest - National Peace Essay Contest - www.usip.org

March deadlines 

03/15/09: Grades 6-12, essay, poster, or TV ad - Save me a spot in college scholarship contest - www.collegecampaign.org 

03/18/09: Grades 9-12, essay contest on the writings of Charles Dickens - http://dickens.ucsc.edu/highschool_guidelines.html 

03/20/09: Grades 8-9, essay contest on the Anthem by Ayn Rand - www.aynrand.org/contests 

03/25/09: Grades 9-12, poetry, short story and essay contest - http://english.arc.losrios.edu 

03/28/09: Girls, age 14-23, Miss El Dorado & Miss Teen El Dorado. Attend the informational meeting 03/28/09 at Folsom Lake College, El Dorado Center, 10:00am-1:30 pm. Visit www.eldoradocountyfair.org for details, or call 530.621.5860.

April deadlines 

04/02/09: Grades 11-12, essay contest - Should California resuire drug screening in middle school students? - www.ssvms.org 

04/25/09: Grades 11-12, essay contest on the novel Fountainhead - www.aynrand.org/contests 

04/30/09: Grades 9-12, essay contest - Holocaust Rememberance Project Essay Contest - www.holocaust.hklaw.com

May deadlines 

05/01/08: Grades 9-12, essay contest on the writings of Jane Austin - http://jasna.org/essaycontest/index.html