Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards Accepting Entries

(Hastings, Nebraska) – The deadline is approaching for middle and high school students to enter the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards. Teen writers who are at least 13 years old and in grades 7-12 are invited to enter original works for recognition and scholarship opportunities. Submissions are due by December 15, 2024.

Students are invited to submit work in any of the Awards’ writing categories, which include critical and personal essays, journalism, humor, flash fiction, dramatic scripts, novels, poetry, science fiction and more. For details on the program, a link to all available writing categories and how to submit writing, go to hastings.edu/writingawards.

There is a $10 entry fee per submission and a $30 fee for a portfolio submission, although there is a fee waiver process available.

This is the sixth year Hastings College has served as an affiliate partner of the Alliance, which allows the College to manage the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards. 

"We're excited to once again host the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards and provide a platform for young writers across our state to showcase their talent," said Dr. Patricia Oman, professor of English and chair of the Languages and Literatures Department at Hastings College. "This competition recognizes outstanding work while encouraging students to develop their creative voices and hone their writing skills. We look forward to reading the diverse and inspiring entries from Nebraska's promising young authors."

Hastings College and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers provide support to educators, students and parents during the submission process. Hastings College faculty and students will judge entries based on their original ideas and technical skill, as well as elements of personal voice or style evident in the piece. Entries will be given Honorable Mention, Silver Key or Gold Key distinction, with recipients being notified in January 2025.

An awards ceremony and optional workshops will be held on campus in February. From there, the Gold Key works will move on to the national competition with a chance to win medals and other scholarships and prizes. National Medalists’ works are then published in national publications and on the Alliance’s website. Select writings are also published in The Best Teen Writing annual anthology.

“We here at the Alliance make it our mission to open the door for teens to freely explore their talents, follow their creative pursuits and speak their minds through their chosen medium. In our current climate, it is more important than ever that teens have a creative outlet, and we are delighted to welcome young people nationwide to our community, where they can feel comfortable in expressing their ideas and themselves,” said Christopher Wisniewski, executive director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. “Each year we continue to be amazed by the work that today’s teens put forth, and we can’t wait to see what this year’s class of young and innovative teens will share with us.” 

Established 102 years ago, the Awards aim to identify middle and high schoolers with exceptional creative talent.

During the 2024 program year, more than 110,000 teens from U.S. territories, Canada, and every state in the nation entered nearly 340,000 works of art and writing for adjudication. Works by nearly 50,000 teens received regional recognition, and more than 2,500 works of art and writing received national recognition, including $400,000 in direct scholarships.