War, sub-prime mortgages, political-action committees, reality television, cheese “substitutes”… It’s hard to know where to start.
Yes, there’s a very, very long list of the things we adults do wrong — and now Orange County teens can win fame and fortune (relatively speaking) just by writing about it.
The wonderful Orlando nonprofit Page 15, devoted to “inspiring a lifelong passion for the language arts,” and Annalemma magazine have teamed up to create an anthologyof student writing on the topic: What adults do wrong and how would you do it right?
I know, I know. Some much wrongness. So little time.
The deadline for the essay contest is March 1, and you’re limited to 1,500 words. (There’s no minimum limit, but given the topic, I don’t think that will be the issue.) And you must be currently enrolled in an Orange County high school.
“It doesn’t even have to be a worldwide problem,” the organizers note. “You deal with adults every day – teachers, parents, bosses – who have a direct effect on your life. Adults have got a lot to be held accountable for and we want to hear what you have to say about it.”
On the other hand, I doubt “The Tyranny of Daily Flossing” will get you to the final round.
What’s in it for you, besides the chance to vent? A $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Your writing will appear in a nationally distributed print publication. And you’ll get a copy to show off to admirers. You’ll also be invited to a book-release party for you, your friends, family and the community, where you’ll be able to sign books for the adoring masses (again, relatively speaking).
And, who knows? Maybe you’ll get adults to think or even… I don’t know… change. Crazier things have happened.
One entry per person, but you can enter in either of two ways:
- Email PAGE15CONTEST@GMAIL.COM with: Your name, grade, school, a parent or guardian’s name, email and phone number in the body of the email. Attach your submission in a .doc, .docx or .rtf files.
- Mail your submission to: Page 15 Writing Contest 625 E. Central Blvd. Orlando, FL 32801 Include a cover page with your name, grade, school, a parent or guardian’s name, email and phone number.
So, good luck. And if you don’t live in Orange County or attend high school, but you’re under 18 and have strong feelings on this topic, email us and we may run some in this space — as long as you don’t complain about newspapers.
We get enough of that from adults.
