HASTINGS, Neb. (Press Release) – The deadline for middle and high school students to enter the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards is approaching. At least 13 years old and 7-12. Young writers in grades are invited to submit original works for recognition and scholarship opportunities. Applications must be made by December 15, 2024.

Students are invited to submit their work in any of the Awards’ writing categories, which include critical and personal essays, journalism, humor, flash fiction, dramatic screenplays, novels, poetry, science fiction and more. For details about the program, links to all available essay categories, and how to submit an essay, go to: hastings.edu/writingawards.

There is a $10 entry fee per application and a $30 fee for portfolio submission, but a fee waiver process is available.

This is the sixth year that Hastings College has served as an affiliate partner of the Alliance, which allows the College to administer the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards.

Hastings College English professor and chair of the Department of Languages ​​and Literatures. “We are excited to once again host the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards and provide a platform for young writers from across our state to showcase their talents,” said Patricia Oman. . “This competition rewards outstanding work while encouraging students to develop their creative voices and hone their writing skills. We look forward to reading the diverse and inspiring writings of Nebraska’s promising young writers.”

Hastings College and the Young Artists and Writers Guild are providing support to educators, students and parents throughout the application process. Hastings College faculty and students will evaluate submissions based on their original ideas and technical skills, as well as any personal opinion or stylistic elements evident in the work. Applications will be given an Honorable Mention, Silver Key or Gold Key title and recipients will be notified in January 2025.

An awards ceremony and optional workshops will be held on campus in February. From there, the Golden Key studies will be transferred to the national competition with the chance to win medals, other scholarships and awards. National Medal winners’ work is then published in national publications and on the Alliance’s website. Selected writings are also published in the annual anthology The Best Teen Writing.

“As Alliance, we make it our mission to open the door for young people to freely discover their talents, follow their creative pursuits and express their thoughts through the medium they choose. In our current climate, it is more important than ever for young people to have a creative outlet, and we are pleased to welcome young people from across the country to our community where they can feel comfortable expressing their ideas and themselves,” said Executive Director Christopher Wisniewski, a member of the Young Artists and Writers Guild. “Every year our day is “We continue to be amazed by the work of our young people and we can’t wait to see what this year’s class of young and innovative young people will share with us.”

Established 102 years ago, the Awards aim to recognize middle and high school students with exceptional creative talent.

During the 2024 program year, more than 110,000 youth from U.S. territories, Canada and every state in the country entered nearly 340,000 works of art and writing for judging. Nearly 50,000 young people’s works have been recognized regionally and more than 2,500 works of art and writing have been recognized nationally; this includes a $400,000 direct scholarship.

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