- This year’s writers are encouraged to “examine history” in some way
- Local writers, grades 4 through 12, will be ranked in three age categories
- Deadline for submission is Friday, April 29, 2011
FRESNO, CALIF. – National University, the second-largest private, nonprofit institution of higher education in California and the 12th largest in the United States, is soliciting poetry submissions from students from Fresno-area schools for the 14th Annual Young Writers Competition. This year’s entrants are being asked to “examine history” in some way and the deadline for submission is Friday, April 29, 2011.
Interested writers should submit one poem based on four global topics, including: a famous or notable period in history; a memorable person either famous or not; a forgotten hero or noteworthy person in history; or a notable figure today who is making history. Submissions can also include personal topics, including a memorable time or event in the writer’s personal history, or a notable person or period in the writer’s ancestral or family history.
Writers will be ranked in three categories, including 4th through 6th graders, 7th and 8th graders, and 9th through 12th graders. The judges will accept poetry of all lengths, and entries are limited to one per student. Poems will be judged on their creativity, originality, treatment of the topic, and ability to use language and poetic devices to “move” the reader in some way.
Each poetry submission must include the contestant’s name, grade level, school, teacher, and parent/teacher or contestant contact number. All participants will be awarded a certificate for entering the competition, and cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners.
The presentation of awards will take place on Friday, May 20, 2011, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at National University’s Fresno campus. Local author and historian Bill Coate will present the awards and autograph copies of his books.
Poetry submissions may be mailed with the required information to Dr. Vicki Martineau, Young Writers Competition, National University, 20 East River Park Place West, Fresno, CA 93720-1531 or e-mailed with the subject line “Young Writers Competition” to vmartine@nu.edu.
About National University
Founded in 1971, National University is the second-largest private, nonprofit institution of higher education in California and the 12th largest in the United States with 22,000 full-time students and 240,000 alumni. The flagship institution of the National University System, National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging and relevant to a diverse population of students. Five schools and one college – the College of Letters and Sciences, the School of Business and Management, the School of Education, the School of Engineering and Technology, the School of Health and Human Services, and the School of Media and Communication – offer 100 graduate and undergraduate degrees, 30 certificates and 16 credential programs at more than 30 locations throughout California and in Henderson, Nevada. A leader in online education, National University offers more than 60 degree programs via the Internet. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California. To learn more, visit www.nu.edu