STTA: Houston
The Woodlands HS Writing Competition
Brief Overview
The Stories Through the Ages Writing Competition is a creative writing competition that consists of four categories where students can submit their original work. Two of the categories are fiction; two of the categories are non-fiction.
Winners
Congratulations to all winners of the Spring 2023 Stories Through the Ages x TWHS High School Writing Competition! Browse through the Writing Corner of our website to read all the excellent submissions from all participants in the competition.
Short Story
1st Place: Anna Nowiczewski, “The Candy Boys”
2nd Place: Nicholas Uthman, “Mowed Down”
3rd Place: Kayla Jones, “Jaqweshia Earns Her Crown”
Poetry
1st Place: Kaileigh Gonzales, “Yesterday and Today”
2nd Place: Ava Daughtery, “In My Cups”
T-3rd Place: Nicholas Uthman, “Mom”
T-3rd Place: Rebecca Ji, “Influenced”
Memoir
1st Place: Kushal Schoen, “Chickaree”
Details
The competition
Short Story
Students submit creative writing in the form of a short story. No word length or topic requirement. Must be a complete story and must follow standard English conventions. Can be over any subject.
What Qualifies as a Short Story?
A short story is a form of creative writing shorter than a novel that has a complete plot line. Short stories can be written in various genres, such as realistic fiction, fantasy, horror, science fiction, mystery, and many others. Short stories often explore themes, characters, and settings that are unique and original. All fiction pieces that are not poetry will be submitted into the short story category for this competition.
Poetry
Students submit creative writing in the form of a poem. No word or topic requirement. Must be a complete poem and express a complete thought. Can be over any theme. Creativity is encouraged.
What Qualifies as Poetry / A Poem?
Poetry is a literary form that uses language to evoke emotion, paint vivid imagery, and convey complex ideas. Many poets draw inspiration from nature, history, personal experiences, and other poems. It is often seen as a more challenging form of writing than short stories, but it can be a very rewarding and powerful form of expression. All forms of poetry will be submitted into the poetry category for this competition.
Social Essay
Students submit a essay responding to a prompt pertaining to the current world. No word length requirement, but should communicate clear ideas. Must follow standard English conventions.
What is the Social Essay Prompt?
Climate change has become a global concern of scientists and politicians. Human pollution of the environment has increased the resting temperature of the Earth in the past half-century and continues to have adverse effects. Write an essay discussing what effects of climate change you observe and experience in your life and how high-school students can effectively combat climate change.
Memoir
Students submit creative writing in the form of a memoir. No word length requirement, but should communicate clear ideas and a personal story for the reader to follow. Must follow standard English conventions.
What Qualifies as a Personal Memoir?
A memoir is a type of autobiographical literature that discusses a period or event of the author’s life. This writing often reflects on the author’s personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions, and is often written in a narrative style. Please ensure that your memoir is about your own life experiences and not someone else. All personal memoirs will be submitted into the poetry category for this competition.
Rules
- Entries must be original pieces of work.
- No word limit.
- Up to three entries per author are allowed.
- Entries must be written in English but may be translated into another language.
- Entries must be submitted as both a .docx and .pdf format.
- Entries must be submitted with consent forms for publication.
- Entries must be received by March 30 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Formatting
Whether you’re writing on a on paper or typing on a Google/Word document, please follow these guidelines for your submission:
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spacing.
- Margins: 1-inch margins on all 4 sides, 8.5”x11” paper size.
- Title: All entries must have a title on the first line of the document. Font must be bolded, Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spacing.
- Ensure that your entry has consistent indentations (single tab-button)
- No page numbers.
- Please do NOT include any personal or identifying information in your entry, including but not limited to: name, school ID number, grade level, teacher, advisor, editor, email, phone number, address, etc.
Submission
Please submit your writing piece as both a .docx and .pdf on the Google Form on the right. The consent forms for the competition are included in the Google Form as questions.
Please note this change: Students no longer have to download the consent forms and submit them as a .pdf file on the Google Drive. Instead, the forms are included in the Google Form as questions.
Awards
Recognition
By participating in the competition, every student will receive recognition from Stories Through the Ages with a certificate and congratulatory letter. Every student will also have the opportunity to have their original work published (with consent) on the Stories Through the Ages website and in future Stories Through the Ages publications.
Grand Awards
In each category, the top 3 entries will also receive medals and an opportunity for exclusive Stories Through the Ages access to launch their own programs and work with the executive team.
Remember: To be eligible for the grand awards, you must have submitted the Minor Consent Form in your submission.
