Category Archives: Events & Contests

Spooky Sagas-Creative Writing Contest

Spooky Sagas 2023 | Creative Writing Contest

Due date Nov 1, 2023
There is nothing better than reading a thrilling story, one that grips you so tightly and puts your senses on alert simply through the power of words. Spooky Sagas is a fantastic way to practice writing in this way by using tension, suspense, and atmosphere.
Write a mini saga (a story told in up to 100 words) can be funny or creepy, scary or odd, but must be your own work.
Read the student info page for more ideas.

The contest closes on Nov 1. If you would like help with your submission, make sure to get your story to the EY teacher in your building before this date.
Student Planning Sheet 
https://youngwritersusa.com/contest/elementary/spooky23

2022 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest Grades 5-8

Website: https://omahalibrary.org/virginia-frank-memorial-writing-contest/

Create your own original fiction featuring a character from a book you read on your own.

Deadline:  Friday, February 25

Check out the website for more details and read the winning entries from last year’s contest.

Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest

Taken directly from: http://omaha.bibliocms.com/virginia-frank-memorial-writing-contest/

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing contest is held each year in the spring to recognize the creative writing talent of our area students. This contest, sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library, recognizes the top three winners from each grade. Each winner receives a cash prize and certificate, is recognized in a ceremony at the library on April 23, and has their story published on the library website. The school libraries of each winning student are also recognized with a matching cash prize.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must be in 5th to 8th Grade, and live in Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Dodge or Saunders County.
  • Students may be enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home school.
  • Essays must be typed and no longer than 750 words.
  • Include a cover page with the title of the story, writer’s name, address, zip code, phone number, current grade, and name of school.
  • The decision of the judges is final.
  • All entries become the property of Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) and may be featured by Omaha Public Library on its website or social media
  • Entries must be original fiction featuring a character from a book you have enjoyed. Identify the book and author from which your character originated in the title or subtitle of your story.
  • Only one entry per contestant will be accepted.
  • Please contact the EY coordinator in your building with questions or help with submitting your story. Entries are due at the end of Feb 2108.

Prizes

  • First ($100), second ($50) and third place ($25)
  • Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners from each grade.
  • The school library of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.

Read the winning stories from the 2017 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest. Check out our 2017 grade 7 winner from Westside Middle School! 

About Virginia Frank

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime Friends of Omaha Public Library volunteer. Virginia Frank was a Central High and UNO graduate. She acquired a master’s degree from Brown University and taught English literature and creative writing at UNO for many years. Her passion for students and young people inspired everyone around her, and her enthusiasm encouraged many students to explore their creative writing talents. Frank volunteered thousands of hours with the Friends of OPL to help ensuring a bright future for our public libraries.

Calling all doodlers!

It’s time to start sketching, because this year’s Doodle 4 Google contest will be open soon.


K-12 students are invited to bring their imagination to life in a doodle of the Google logo, using any medium they choose. The winner’s artwork will be featured on the Google homepage  @ https://doodles.google.com/d4g/

Doodles are the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists.

Check out the contest page to see past winners and to get some ideas! Start working on some sketches.

Check https://doodles.google.com/d4g/ for contest details.

 

 

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Reading EnRichment Contests to Check out

List of Writing Contests that are possibilities

Anne Frank Essay Contest – Grades 5 – 8 – Entry due ___________________

Metro Reading Council Writing Contest – Grades K – 12  Entry due ___________________

Americanism Essay Contest – Grades 5 – 8 Entry due ___________________

Totem Head’s Story Contest-Categories for ages 8 and under all the way up to 18 years-Entry due ___________________

Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest – Grades 5 – 8 – Entry due ___________________

Money Confident Kids Writing Contest

Learn about spending, saving, and setting smart financial goals by participating in this Money Confident Kids Website http://www.scholastic.com/mck/

Essay Prompt:

Discover and describe a true story of a time when your parent or guardian set a financial goal and then Screen Shot 2015-08-25 at 8.20.36 PMachieved it. Include: the goal; a description of the spending and saving choices that were made to achieve the goal; and lessons that you can apply to your own future financial decisions

Here’s how it works:
1. Read an issue of Money Confident kids- Click here for an issue of Money Confident Kids

2. INTERVIEW a parent or guardian about money
management.

3 . ASK about a time when he or she set a financial
goal and then made saving and spending choices to
achieve it.
4. WRITE a 200 – to 250 -word essay (based on your
interview) that describes the true story of achievement,
and what lessons you can apply to your own future
financial decisions.
Optional: Consider including a photo or drawing
with your essay!

5. ****CONTEST CLOSED*******
Submit to the EY coordinator in your building by  October 1st,  2015

Click here for more information about the process, prizes and to find the entry form for the contest.

If you read the magazine, conduct an interview, and write an essay and would like to enter it in this contest, please fill out the entry form and send it to the EY coordinator in your school by Oct 1st. If you need help with getting the permission form printed out, or any part of this contest, please contact the EY coordinator at your school.

Contest Presented by T. Rowe Price