Recommendations for Writing Competitions for High Schoolers?

Hi everyone! I'm looking to up my writing game and was wondering if you guys know of any writing competitions specifically for high school students? Preferably ones with great prizes or prestigious recognition.

Hi there! It's fantastic that you're wanting to showcase your writing skills and compete with other high school students. There are numerous writing competitions out there designed specifically for high schoolers, offering prestigious recognition and exciting prizes. Here are a few options worth considering:

1. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: This competition is arguably the most prestigious writing contest for high school students in the United States. They accept various forms of writing, including poetry, short stories, essays, and more. Many Scholastic Award recipients go on to do great things in their respective fields. Submission deadlines vary depending on your region, but they typically fall between September and December.

2. YoungArts Competition: This national competition is open to high school students between the ages of 15 and 18. They accept submissions in multiple categories such as poetry, short story, screenplays and scripts, novel excerpts, and more. Submission deadlines are typically in October.

3. National High School Essay Contest: Organized by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), this contest is open to all high school students and requires a 1,000-1,250 word essay on a given foreign policy topic. The winner receives a $2,500 cash prize, a trip to Washington, D.C., and an internship opportunity with the U.S. Department of State. Submission deadline is usually in April.

4. The New York Times Student Editorial Contest: Inspired by The New York Times Opinion section, this contest encourages high school students to submit editorials of no more than 450 words on any topic that they feel strongly about. Winners receive publication in The New York Times. The submission window is typically open between February and April.

5. Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award: Open to international poets aged 11-17, this competition requires participants to submit up to two poems of any topic, style, and length. The top 15 winners are invited to a prestigious awards ceremony in London and have their poems published in an anthology. The submission deadline is usually in July.

These are just a handful of options, but they offer fantastic opportunities for high school students to gain recognition for their writing prowess. If none of them seem quite right to you, though, you can find a more extensive list on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/writing-competitions-for-high-school-students.

As you consider which competitions to enter, keep an eye on submission requirements and deadlines to ensure your work is eligible and gets in on time. Good luck, and happy writing!