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FeedKicking off the 2012 Minnesota Outdoor News Youth Writing Contest
It’s that time of year when Minnesota Outdoor News kicks off its annual Youth Writing Contest. Since we first launched the annual contest in 1998, dozens of youth have won accolades and cash by sending us their stories and poetic meanderings.
Every year, we receive more than 100 entries from students and teachers around Minnesota for the contest, then we select and print winners around the holidays in late December. In March, I enter the winners of our contest in the Montana-based Outdoor Writers Association of America national youth writing contest.
Speaking of that, in July, OWAA announced the winners of its contest, and I’m again proud to share that Minnesotans won 25 percent of the prizes against national competition. The three Minnesota youth who placed this year included Anson Kuznik, of Brooklyn Park, Minn., who took third place in the Junior Prose section with a story entitled “The Rainy Day Buck.” In the Senior Prose division, Rachel Libke of Rogers, Minn., took first place with “A Magical Spring Day,” and Kali Reginek, of Rice, Minn., won third place with “The Simple Lessons.”
Congratulations to those three fine young people, and with that, consider the 2012-2013 Minnesota Outdoor News Youth Writing Contest officially launched.
Here are the details to enter the contest.
- The topic must be outdoors-oriented (hunting, fishing, camping, etc.) Any interesting story afield – from the deer stand to the Boundary Waters to a family jaunt to Yellowstone National Park – qualifies.
- Any prose or poetry is acceptable; keep submissions under 1,000 words.
- Entries must be typed or word processed. Electronic versions encouraged. Submit entries to Outdoor News by Nov. 16, on 81⁄2-by-11 white paper. Faxes will not be accepted.
- Include your name, parent’s name, age, address, phone number, email address, name of school and grade in school, SASE to return photos, and mail submissions to: Rob Drieslein – Editor, Outdoor News 9850 51st Ave. N., Suite 130, Plymouth, MN 55442-3271 or e-mail it to me.
We’ll print four of the best stories and two of the best poems in Outdoor News during the holiday season in December, then sponsor them in that Outdoor Writers Association of America annual writing contest. Top prize in each of two categories, Senior (grades 9-12) and Junior (grades 6-8) will win $100 and an award plaque. Second prize, plus a poetry winner in each age group, will receive $50 and a plaque. In the OWAA contest, participants have a chance to win additional cash prizes.
To all teachers and firearms education instructors: Consider pitching the contest to your students!
Staff here usually read the entries on Thanksgiving Day, and we’re anticipating another great batch of stories to enjoy while digesting turkey and cranberries (after deer hunting, of course) this fall.
On Page 30 of the Sept. 14 print edition of Outdoor News (and in subsequent issues through mid-November), you’ll also see the above information for the contest.
