PoetryScholarships.us

 Have you written poetry about saving the environment, or do you care passionately about this subject to put your thoughts into words with WCDR through a free poetry competition?

You can learn more about this unique poetry competition, and be one of twenty young poets under age twenty whose works are published in Rock, Paper, Scissors – a volume compiled in honor of Dan Sullivan. Ten students in grades one to eight will be chosen, and ten people under the age of 20 from grades nine through twelve will also be selected to share the excitement of having their winning entries published by the Writers’ Circle of Durham Region (WCDR).

Who was Dan Sullivan, and what connection did he have with WCDR? Dan Sullivan was a poet who stood up at the Circle’s first meeting in 1995 to read two of his poems. He accepted the applause and compliments from his friends and colleagues, and then suffered sudden and instant death. Since that time, the circle has established an annual poetry contest in honor of his memory.

This year’s poetry contest theme was chosen to express concern about the environment, and allow young students to fully express their thoughts and opinions through the artistic medium of poetry. Every entrant who expresses his or her concern about the environment will have his or her name published in Rock, Paper Scissors.

The poetry contest began October 1, 2008, and entries will be accepted until January 31, 2009. Winners will be announced at the organization’s meeting on March 31, 2009. Each person whose poem is published will receive a free copy of the book, and any winning poets who are able to attend the club’s monthly meeting in April will have the opportunity to read their poem allowed for the group.

Students who wish to enter the poem competition may submit their entries by email or regular postal mail. Only one poem per person may be entered. If teachers wish to submit entries from every member of their class, they may do so, but these entries must be made by postal mail.

The poem’s theme should focus on some aspect of saving the environment. Poems longer than 40 lines will not be accepted, so keep your entries short and meaningful. The contest does not require an entry fee, so you won’t be charged for your hard work.

The names of poem contest winners will also be published on the WCDR website on March 31, 2009. If you are not a winner, or are interested in purchasing a copy of Rock, Paper, Scissors, the book can be purchased from the website for $7.50 plus postage.

This strange and unique poetry competition won’t win you any tuition scholarships for college, but it can increase your credibility and publicity, as well as your confidence as a writer. Sometimes, fame can be even more important than money. Don’t miss out on your first chance to become a published poet because you were too shy to submit your entry. It won’t cost you anything, and you may gain a lot just by entering!