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Mary Readman 2008 Write On Contest
Categories | Judging Criteria | Contest Rules | 2008 Winners
To all Teachers and Principals
Get your kids involved in your weekly community newspaper with this fun and educational contest!
The Concept and the Benefits
The "Write On" promotion is designed to reach out to local students and motivate them to submit written material for publication in your newspaper. Some benefits of this project are:
- An opportunity to “connect” with your local school administrators and teachers.
- You have the opportunity to capture new readers now while they're most easily influenced in the younger grades.
- Your chance to show young readers that their local newspaper is really the heartbeat of their community.
Elements of the Promotion
- The "Write On" promotion targets in on three separate segments of local students (Grades 1 to 3, Grades 4 to 6 and Grades 7 to 12).
- "Creative Classifieds" has been specifically chosen for the Grades 1 to 3 students. The students pick a classified ad from your paper and write up to a 200 word imaginative story based on the ad. A used car ad might lead to a tale about the family who owned the car and the reasons for selling it.
- The "Junior Reporters" contest targets students from Grades 4 to 6. The student writes about a school-related event or activity using up to 200 words.
- The "Write an Opinion" contest targets in on the junior high and senior grades and asks students to write a 100 to 300 word Letter to the Editor, expressing their views on any issue which directly affects their community.
The stories and letters must be turned in to you by Friday, April 18, 2008. You would have until April 28, 2008 to select the winners. Prizes would be awarded locally to one winner each from Grade 1; Grades 2/3; Grades 4 to 6; Grades 7 to 9 and Grades 10 to 12.
Local winners would have their work published in your paper and would advance to the provincial level, where five grand prize winners would be chosen. At the provincial level, "Creative Classified" winners would each receive $100 from AWNA, "Junior Reporters" would receive $300 from AWNA and "Write an Opinion" winners would receive $500 from AWNA.
Some Tips For Success
- School Support: Contact school principals and teachers to determine school support. Go to the school’s main office and ask for permission to stuff copies of the brochure into teacher mail boxes. Leave piles of the brochure at the main reception desk and in the teachers’ lounge as well.*
- Kids' Prizes: You could contact a few of your local businesses for donations and possibly set aside a few dollars from the newspaper. Some prize ideas include; gift certificates, cash, plaques or wall certificates, summer camp, specialty training, sports enrollment, dancing, etc.
- Promotion in Paper: Run filler ads (can be picked up from AWNA’s FTP site) and a story explaining what "Write On" is. Remind students of the opportunity to win provincially and bring recognition to their community and school.
- Collect and Locally Judge Submissions: The schools have until April 18 to hand in their entries. Individual students could independently submit entries. Judging must be concluded by April 28. (We suggest including a teacher as a judge).
- Promote the Winners: Take pictures and publish the winning entries in your newspaper. Arrange to present local winners with their prizes during a school assembly.
- Enter Provincials: Entries will be judged at the provincial level in May. Please ensure local winning entries are submitted into Central Office by Friday, May 9, 2008.
*Let the AWNA Central Office know how many brochures you will need and we will be happy to supply them to you.
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Following is a breakdown, by grade, of the
categories for the contest
CREATIVE CLASSIFIEDS
for Grades 1 through 3
Students will select a classified ad from their local AWNA member newspaper. It may come from any classified category. The actual ad must be attached to their entry.
Now, using their imaginations and writing no more than 200 words, they will describe the story behind the ad.
(Two winners: one in Grade 1 and one winner in Grades 2/3)
JUNIOR REPORTER
for Grades 4 through 6
Students will investigate any school related event asking their colleagues questions, opinions, comments about the event.
They will then write a report of no more than 200 words.
(One winner: from Grades 4–6)
WRITE AN OPINION
for Grades 7 through 12
Students will have a chance to express their opinions on a local issue and win valuable prizes. They will choose an issue which directly affects their community, researching the topic, using the local paper and other appropriate sources of information.
Based on this information they will write a 100 to 300 word letter to the Editor on the issue.
(Two winners: one in Grade 7–9, one in Grade 10–12)
In the event of Provincial Winners, the students and parents will be contacted by the local newspaper for the purpose of awarding prizes and arranging accommodation for the family for the Friday night’s banquet, entertainment and presentation at the AWNA convention in September.
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Judging Criteria Guide
CREATIVE CLASSIFIEDS:
- Originality
- Human Interest
- Clarity
- Spelling, Grammar, Legibility
JUNIOR REPORTERS:
- Demonstrates the students gathered all the facts
- Answers the 5 Ws of reporting – Who, What, When, Where and Why
- Clarity
- Spelling, Grammar, Legibility
WRITE AN OPINION:
- Clarity of Expression
- Knowledge of Topic
- Logical Reasoning
- Original Thought
- Spelling, Grammar, Legibility
Contest Flow
- January 21/08 — School is provided with contest information.
- January 28 – April 18/08 — Students work on entries, teachers choose BEST entry/entries and return to local AWNA member newspaper.
- April 21 – 28/08 — Newspaper picks local winner, and sends these on to the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association.
- May — AWNA chooses the provincial winners, contacts and papers and sends out prizes.
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Contest Rules
- Students registered in Alberta's and NWT’s public, separate, private schools and home schooling are eligible to enter if they live in an area served by one of the more than 100 AWNA member newspapers.
- The story for the Creative Classifieds Contest must be based on a classified ad taken from the local AWNA member newspaper. A copy of the original ad MUST accompany the story. EXAMPLE: A used car ad might lead to a tale about the family who owned the car and reasons for selling it.
- Junior Reporters can write about an event in their community or school. They might talk to the team who won or didn’t win their recent sports event, for example.
- Entries in the Write An Opinion Contest must be based on an issue directly affecting the community.
- Teachers will submit entries to their local newspaper no later than Friday, April 18, 2008.
- A total of five local prize winners will be selected by this newspaper, in the following categories:
| Creative Classifieds |
Grade 1
Grades 2/3 |
| Junior Reporters |
Grades 4 – 6 |
| Write An Opinion |
Grades 7 – 9
Grades 10 – 12 |
- All local prize winners’ entries will be submitted by this newspaper to the AWNA for judging at the provincial level. A committee of experts will then select the five Grand Prize winners. The two winners chosen from the Creative Classifieds entries will each receive $100 from AWNA. The winner from the Junior Reporter category will receive $300. The two winners in the Write An Opinion Contest will each receive $500 from AWNA.
- Winners and their families will be invited to attend Friday evening’s event at AWNA’s convention to receive provincial recognition. (Accommodation and Friday’s banquet included). Winners’ teachers will also be invited to attend — (Friday’s banquet meal and accommodation included). Those teachers who do attend will receive $250 from the AWNA for their support in the contest.
If you are a winner, please contact your local Write On coordinator and provide them with contact information or contact the AWNA office, 1-800-282-6903 / 780-434-8746 Ext. 225. This contact information will be used for ‘invitation purposes’ only.
- Decisions of the judges are final. All entries become the property of the AWNA.
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Teachers and Principals
YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER
Will be happy to help you and your
students in the organization of this contest.
Just give them a call.
Once you have gathered and graded your
entries, please ensure that ONLY the winners
are handed in to your local community
newspaper no later than April 18, 2008.
The newspaper will then have until April
28 to select the local winners. Local
winners will have their work published in
the paper and would then advance to the
provincial level, where five Provincial
winners will be chosen.
Working with your community newspaper
will help your students find out that the
local paper is really the heartbeat of their
community. They will also begin to realize
just how important their input is to the
community newspaper.
Your students will benefit from their
involvement with their community newspaper
in this contest and your local newspaper
will benefit from their involvement with your
students and your school.
Students registered in Alberta’s and the
NWT’s public, separate, private schools
and home schooling are eligible to enter if
they live in an area served by one of the
over 100 AWNA member newspapers.
Teachers — You could give 10 marks per category providing you with a range of marks, making it easier to pick a winner. You may judge all the entries and submit the top entry, OR you can turn ALL the entries in to the paper for local judging. Please arrange this with your local newspaper. Also, record the total number of entries you received in each category.
Recognition — In addition to the monetary awards, the parents and teachers of the 5 Provincial Winners will be invited for Friday evening’s banquet and entertainment at the AWNA Fall Convention. One night’s accommodation included. Attending teachers will receive $250 from the AWNA.
For more information please contact the AWNA office at 1-800-282-6903
or
780-434-8746 Ext. 225
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TEACHERS
 Meet the Write On bookworm, here to
help you motivate your students to read,
write and do some creative and critical
thinking using their local weekly
newspaper.
All you do is devote some class time for
the appropriate category, as described
below. This project can easily be used as
part of assigned classwork.
We would urge you to encourage your
students to use their local weekly
newspaper from home, but if you need
complimentary copies of your local
AWNA paper, please contact the editor or
publisher.
Local AWNA member newspapers will
select five winners, from the grade
categories noted below, as their local
prize winners, who will receive prizes
arranged by the local newspapers. The
winning stories and letters will be
published.
The Provincial Prize Winner breakdown is as follows:
Two winners: Creative Classifieds — $100 each
One winner: Junior Reporters — $300
Two winners: Write An Opinion — $500 each
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Attention Publishers!
It’s “Write On” time again!
The “Write On” contest is an excellent way for community newspapers,
teachers and students to get to know each other better. The students and
teachers get the opportunity to learn more about the workings of a
newspaper and the newspaper has a chance to meet its future readers.
The success of the contest depends on the efforts of the newspaper staff
as well as the co-operation of the teachers and staff of local schools.
“Write On” gives every student, no matter what grade level they are at,
the chance to get better acquainted with their local paper, sharpen
reading, writing and research skills, as well as giving them a chance to
win great prizes.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the newspaper to capture new
readers, for students to get their work published and for teachers to have
some fun as well. The amount of fun to be had depends on how involved
participants are willing to get.
Brought to you by the Community Education Committee
The winners have given their permission to have their entries published in AWNA member newspapers if that is desired.
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2008 Winners
Creative Classified
Grade 1 category
Leslie Snell
Oyen Public School
Submitted by the Oyen Echo
$100 winner
Ad:
CKC REG. YELLOW LAB PUPS — microchipped and first shots. Excellent hunting and family dogs. 4 males available — $600 each. Call….
A little girl wanted a puppy. She had one big dog. She asked her mom if she could have a puppy. Sally’s mom said, “Yes, yes. Let’s go, but you need to buy the puppies with your own money.” Sally said, “AAAAAAH.” Sally’s mom told her that she would have to do chores to earn her the money. Sally had to clean dishes, take out the garbage, clean floors, wash the dogs, was the cars and last but not least she had to ride the horses. It took Sally one whole month to save enough money to buy two puppies! Her mom said, “Ahhhhhh!” Sally was so happy that she jumped up with excitement. A couple years later, Sally’s puppies were all grown up, and guess what? MORE PUPPIES!
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Creative Classified
Grade 2-3 category
Browyn Brock
Grade 3
Holy Spirit Catholic School
Submitted by the Devon Dispatch News
$100 winner
Ad:
BELIEVE! Exceptional Psychics! Love-Money-Life. 1-900… $3.09 minute. 18+… On a cold misty day, a girl named Ravon got bullied. The boys wold punch her and kick her. One day Ravon went to the hospital for a check up after lots of testing, the doctor tol her mom that Ravon was psychic! Ravon was shocked but she was happy too.
The next day Ravon had a vision that the bullies were going to move. Ravon was so happy she fainted with glee! This made the bullies so mad, they gave her a black eye! Many years later, when Ravon is all grown up, she became the most famous psychic in the world.
*One day, a man phoned in, Ravon asked “What’s your name? Wait! I know, you’re “John Bulmer”! John Bulmer she thought “can can can you please hold”? that’s my school bully said Ravon. Raon was in panic mode, what should I do? Go and talk to him? I’ll try to.
“Ok I’m back she said.
“Good” the man answered.
I made a mistake in my past. When I was a child, I picked on a girl named Ravon, Is that you? “Today’s your lucky day I’m that Ravon!”
I’m really sorry fell so bad that I did all those things to you. Please, please, forgive me.”
“Well, ok.”
But Ravon”, John said, “I got another thing.”
What’s that?” Ravon wondered.
“I’ve always loved you. Will you marry me?” Ravon was shocked! Tune in to my show next week.
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Junior Reporter
Grade 4 – 6 category
Raymond Sweet
Grade 6
Vanier Community Catholic School
Submitted by the Edson Leader
Vanier School Vandalized by Raymond Sweet
On the night of Sunday, April 13 Vanier Community Catholic School in Edson, Alberta was vandalized. Somebody threw rocks at the windows of Vanier’s grade 6 doors. The damage was first noticed by grade 6 teacher, Miss Brown She informed the school’s maintenance person, Mr. Smith, who quickly used duct tape for a temporary cover. Mr. Smiths’ primary concern was to ensure no students would be harmed by the broken glass as they entered at the beginning of their school day.
“People should treat the school with more respect,” commented grade 6 student Darian W. Fortunately only two windows were broken this time. In the past, the damage has been sores. “I think this kind of vandalism occurred because it is the easiest and the fastest,” commented vice principal, Mrs. Summerhill. Mr. Smith has now boarded up these damaged windows. They are going to be replaced eventually. Fortunately, most other windows at the school are protected by metal blinds. Other vandalism has happened to this Catholic school. Graffiti is another common occurrence. Vanier staff and students hope to see all forms of vandalism stop. They want to feel safe in their school.
If you have any information about the anonymous vandal(s), please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8467).
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Write an Opinion
Grade 7 – 9 category
Faith Wierenga
Home Schooled
Submitted by the Barrhead Leader
Dear Editor,
A recent study of bullying found that 20% of students are scared for most of the school day and have difficulty learning as a result. Clearly, bullying is an issue that schools need to address. However, most anti-bullying efforts focus primarily on punishment. I think this response is inadequate and shows a failure to fully understand the problem.
A few days ago, my sister told me that when she was in school, there was a girl in her class nobody liked because she was “dirty.” One day all the other girls wrote the “dirty” girl a letter listing what she had to change before she could play with them. My sister didn’t want to sign the letter, but knew she would be excluded by the others if she didn’t. Even though it happened 18 years ago, she still feels bad about this today.
This story illustrates that while some bullies are driven by aggression and a desire to dominate, others – like my sister – bully out of fear and social pressure. Schools should develp policies that target the social dynamics that often lead to bullying. For example, schools should break up cliques by organizing play times so that children are regularly moved from one group of classmates to another. One way to do this would be to have children compete for prizes in games requiring teams of only two or three members. This would force children to develop good working relationships with each other despite preexisting prejudices.
Zero-tolerance policies and severe penalties for bullying are tempting solutions because of their simplicity. However, innovative approaches are needed if bullying is to be fully eradicated. If schools don’t implement programs addressing the underlying causes of bullying, they will not only fail to stop bullying, but will in some cases punish children who are, in a way, victims themselves.
Sincerely,
Faith Wierenga
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Write an Opinion
Grade 10 – 12 category
Jacqueline LeBlanc
Beaumont Composite High School
Submitted by the Beaumont News
Dear Editor,
They begin to gather, like seagulls, minutes after the lunch bell’s rung. Their shoulders are hunched; their fingers are red and dry from the cold. It’s the path, or for those who don’t know, a small paved roadway between Belleview elementary and the high school. It’s littered with cigarette butts, empty chip packages and crushed beer cans. Graffiti decorates the fences. When the new bylaw came in January, there was fear that the sanctuary of smoke and drugs would be broken up, but such was not the case. Days after, it was if nothing had happened. And nothing had. Dozens of underage kids continue to smoke there (and it’s not restricted to just cigarettes), and there isn’t a thing being done about it. While a Beaumont RCMP car is parked by the exit of the high school to catch speeders, meters away, fifteen year-olds are passing joints. Of course stopping this won’t put an end to substance abuse, but it’s a start. Why must we wait until it’s a full scale grow operation before any action is taken? The path isn’t a secret, it’s not being hidden from the public, and it’s known by most members of the community. Our community, a rich little suburbia town that holds pancake breakfasts at the fire hall every summer, competes in the Communities in Bloom yearly contests and holds the Christmas Bright Lights. When are we going to wake up and realize that we have one of the biggest drug problems in the province? That more teenagers smoke than don’t? Life is Better in Beaumont? I’m not so sure.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline LeBlanc
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