The 2025 Shawnee Community College Celebrating Young Writers Contest is returning!
Categories of Writing (two divisions: 9th/10th grade and 11th /12th grade)
1. Short Fiction
This category includes short stories or excerpts from longer works. Entries should be no more than 1,000-1,500 words—one entry per student.
2. Poetry
Poetry of all kinds is encouraged. Each poem has no length limit, but please limit submissions to four poems per student. Poems will be judged individually.
3. Non-fiction Essay
This category includes more formal topics such as literary criticism, researched arguments, or informational research essays. Entries may include research, but it is not required. They should be no more than 1,000-2,000 words. One entry per student.
Submission Requirements
All entries must be computer-produced and printed on standard 8½ x 11 paper. Students may submit in any or all categories. Three copies of each entry should be paper-clipped to one copy of the entry form.
Students’ names should appear only on the entry forms, and not on their submitted work(s). The deadline for entries to arrive at Shawnee Community College is Friday, February 14, 2025. Qualified judges will evaluate the entries. No entries will be returned, so please keep copies of your work.
Cash awards and prizes will be presented to winners in each division and each category.
Division 1 (9th /10th grade)
$100 (First Place), $50 (Second Place), $25 (Third Place)
Division 2 (11th /12th grade)
$100 (First Place), $50 (Second Place), $25 (Third Place)
A ceremony to celebrate the student writers will be held on April 17, 2025, at 5:30 pm in the Shawnee College Atrium. The winners in each division and category will be announced, and prizes will be awarded. The winning entries (or excerpts) will be read aloud during the celebration. Light refreshments will be provided at the ceremony. Please plan to attend this celebration of young writers, their teachers, and their families.
Questions and entry packets should be directed to:
Dr. Ryan Thornsberry
Shawnee Community College
8364 Shawnee College Road, Ullin, IL 62992
(618) 634-3329 or ryant@shawneecc.edu
Again, the deadline is Friday, February 14, 2025!