This year the Daughters of the American Revolution are sponsoring their annual writing contest with the theme of “The Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad”. Writers are to pretend they are a settler planning to use the train to travel to their new home in the West, an Irish or Chinese worker who helped build the railroad or a Native American whose way of life was greatly affected.
According to Leslie A. Pfeifer, of Moraga, the contest is open to all 5, 6, 7 and 8th grade students in public, private or parochial schools or home schooled. They give a Bronze American History medal to the winner and honor them at their February meeting. Their story goes to the state level for judging. All writers receive Certificates of Participation.
What’s exciting is that this is another opportunity for students to be awarded for writing! By participating or winning in a contest, students can use these stories to build on their portfolios, writing resumes, AND get experience! PLUS, you’ll have the story itself to publish or use in some other way to build on for a future project. Go for it!
Check back here later for more information. Deadline will be December 1, 2009. I’ll have copies of the guidelines with me at the free Clayton Library writing workshop Susie Wilson and I are leading on July 29. (3-5 pm)