WRITERS IN THE MOUNTAINS
ANNOUNCES
MATILDA FRIEDMAN ESSAY CONTEST 2015
Writers in the Mountains (WIM) is sponsoring the fourth annual Matilda Friedman essay contest for middle school and high school students throughout Delaware County. The Board of Directors for WIM is hoping that students from your school will be encouraged to participate. Authors of the winning essays will be awarded cash prizes. Writers in the Mountains will host a reception for contest winners on November 8, 2015. Students will also have an opportunity to read their winning essays on WIOX radio’s program, The Writer’s Voice.
The topic this year is “What is your favorite music, and how does it move you?” Students are encouraged to choose any musical genre, composition, artist or band that appeals to them, and explain why the music, specific piece, or artist is important to them and how it (or the artist) makes them feel. The approach to the topic should be determined by each student who chooses to enter the contest.
Please consult the complete contest rules for student participation outlined below. We are looking for original essays written by the students. The judging will be performed by WIM Board members who will be looking for strength of thought and creativity in the content more than the mechanics of spelling and punctuation.
The contest was developed in memory of Matilda Freidman, a long time friend of Writers in the Mountains and is supported by her family and the WIM Board of Directors.
Writers in the Mountains
Essay Contest Rules
2015
The topic for all entrants is: “What is your favorite music, and how does it move you?”
Middle school students are asked to write an essay of at least 500 words.
High school students are asked to write an essay of at least 1,000 words.
All essays should be double-spaced, whether typed or hand written.
*The student’s name, grade and school name must appear in the upper left corner of each page.*
All essays must be returned to Writers in the Mountains postmarked by October 23, 2015. Essays may be mailed to WIM, PO Box 474 Roxbury, NY 12474 or submitted electronically to writersinthemountains@gmail.com.
The essays will be judged for their original content with some attention paid to spelling and punctuation. We anticipate the winning essays will be creative, honest and compelling. The judging will be performed by members of the WIM Board of Directors.
A reception for the winners will be held on November 8, 2015. Cash prizes will be awarded as follows: High School 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, 3rd place $50, and honorable mention $10. Middle School 1st place $75, 2nd place $50, 3rd place $25, and honorable mention $10. Winners will be invited to read their essays at the reception and on WIOX Radio as part of The Writer’s Voice program.
Writers in the Mountains is a 501 ( c ) (3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to provide a nurturing environment for the practice, appreciation and sharing of creative writing. For more information, visit writersinthemountains.org.