With Pittsburg State University as our new sponsor, The Joplin Globe Educational Services Department is excited to host our fourth annual writing contest, open to high school students in grades 9-12 in The Joplin Globe readership area.
1. The contest will contain the following categories for each grade division of 9/10 and 11/12:

Poetry-30 or fewer lines using Hope as the topic; category, grade division, and title centered at the top of page. (Note: Poetry is the only category with specific theme)

Personal Narrative-1,500 or fewer words; category, grade division, and title centered at top of page

Short Story-1,500 or fewer words; category, grade division, and title centered at top of page
2. All contest entries must be word-processed in black ink on white 8.5” x11” paper with 1” margins on all sides, using Times New Roman, 12 pt., double-spaced (except for poetry) and must be submitted as
copies. All entries must be submitted as a group by one teacher/writing contest coordinator at each participating school. All language and content must be in good taste. No entries may be submitted electronically. Once winners are determined, teachers will be contacted to obtain electronic versions for publication in the Joplin Globe.
3. Entries must be written in English, original, unpublished, and may not have appeared in print or on the Internet for public consumption. Each student entry must be accompanied by a completed informational form (see next page) and
COLOR OR BLACK/WHITE photograph. DO NOT SEND PHOTOCOPIED PHOTOGRAPHS, as they do NOT reproduce well! The teacher/writing contest coordinator will send this information along with each entry.
4. Deadline for received by mail or dropped off by 4:30 p.m. is Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 to Kristine McCulley,
Educational Services Coordinator at The Joplin Globe, 117 E. 4 th Street, Joplin, MO 64801.
5. Judging may take place 1 st week of February, so it is imperative entries are received by 2/1; teachers will be notified by Friday, February 12 of their students’ status in the contest and winning students will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at Pittsburg State University, on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 ; this date is subject to change due to inclement weather.
6. Winners’ biographical information, photos, and winning entries will be published as space permits in a special tab to be published in the Joplin Globe on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 . By entering the contest, students allow The
Joplin Globe to publish pertinent information.
7. First- second- and third-place prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively will be awarded in each category and in each grade division. All finalists will be awarded certificates as finalists in the contest.
8. A student may be entered in only one category.
9. A school may send no more than ten entries in each
division . (10 in division 9/10 and 10 in 11/12)
For example, a school could send 10 entries total of short stories, poems, and personal narratives from
DIVISION 9/10 and 10 entries of all personal narratives from DIVISION 11-12. Contact me if you have questions.
10. The Joplin Globe claims right to minor editing of simple spelling and grammar errors for printing purposes.
11. Joplin Globe employees or immediate family members are not permitted to enter the competition.
12. Judges’ decisions are final.

JOPLIN GLOBE WRITING CONTEST STUDENT INFORMATION FORM
Writing contest coordinators------
A copy of this sheet MUST accompany EACH of your student entries.
WRITING CATEGORY (Circle one)
GRADE DIVISION (Circle one)
Personal Narrative
9/10 11/12
Short Story Poetry
(Topic: Hope)
TITLE OF WORK _______________________________________________________________________
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________________________________________
SCHOOL NAME ________________________________________________________________________
SCHOOL ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________
SCHOOL PHONE_________________________________SCHOOL FAX___________________________
Writing contest COORDINATOR NAME ___________________________________________________
Writing contest COORDINATOR EMAIL __________________________________________________
Have student answer the following questions in brief, specific sentences.
1. Why do you enjoy writing?
2. Who has been your biggest inspiration for writing and why?
3. What are your goals after high school?
The above-named student, by entering The Joplin Globe’s Writing Contest certifies that this writing is his/her own original work and is not copied in part or whole from any other source, and the student gives The Joplin Globe permission to print the his/her biographical information and writing in The Joplin Globe. The student will be required to sign a waiver of participation if he/she attends the awards ceremony at Pittsburg State University.