Following are contests, scholarships, and internships for students; the list is organized by application deadline. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
March 26. CyberFair.
Cisco Systems Foundation, Gateway Computers, and the Global SchoolNet Foundation sponsor the International Schools CyberFair ‘99. K-12 students participate by creating Web sites about their community. School-generated sites in different categories--including local leaders, history, music, art, business, and environment--are evaluated by students using a Web tool developed by Global SchoolNet. All schools receive recognition and prizes for participating. Contact: Global SchoolNet Foundation; (760) 721-2972; www.gsn.org/cf.
March 31. Riddles.
Peel Productions Inc. invites students up to age 18 to enter its ABC School Riddles Contest. Students are encouraged to submit rhyming riddles based on a letter of the alphabet. Prizes are awarded for the winning entry for each letter of the alphabet, and winning riddles will be published in the forthcoming book, ABC School Riddles. For more information, contact: Riddles Contest Rules, P.O. Box 546, Columbus, NC 28722; (800) 304-3269; e-mail contest@peelbooks.com; peelbooks.com/contest.
*April-May. Opera.
The Metropolitan Opera Guild seeks applicants for Creating Original Opera, a seven-day summer program to help teachers of grades 3-7 use opera and musical theater in the classroom. Tuition, room, board, supplies, and fees are paid by the program, but there is a $190 fee
paid by the schools of participating teachers. Deadlines vary by region: South, April 1; Midwest, April 15; Northeast/International, May 1; West, May 15. Contact: Shellie Bransford, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023; (212) 769-7026; www.operaed.org.
April 1. Automotive Scholarships.
The National Hot Rod Association, in conjunction with Sears Craftsman, announces scholarships for high school seniors. The Sears Craftsman program awards 21 scholarships of $1,000 each. The Racerz Legends of Drag Racing High School program awards seven scholarships of $300 each. Preference is given to students planning a career in technological, industrial, or marketing fields of the automotive industry. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating from public, private, or parochial high schools between January 1 and June 30. For more information, contact: National Hot Rod Association Youth and Education Services, 2035 Financial Way, Glendora, CA 91741; (626) 914-4761, ext. 427.
April 1. Essay Contest.
The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors an essay contest for high school freshmen and sophomores on Rand’s novella Anthem. The top essayist receives a $1,000 award. Ten second-prize winners receive $200 each; 20 third-prize winners receive $100 each. Essays must run between 600 and 1,200 words and focus on one of three topics chosen by the institute. For more information, contact: Anthem Essay Contest, Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 6099, Inglewood, CA 90312; e-mail essay@aynrand.org; www.aynrand.org/contests.
April 1. Service Award.
The Hitachi Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization, seeks nominations for the 1998 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community. The award recognizes high school seniors who have distinguished records of community leadership and service. As many as 11 winners receive $5,000 each, disbursed over two years, and participate in an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.; roughly five finalists each receive $1,000. For more information, contact: Yoshiyama Award, P.O. Box 19247, Washington, DC 20036-9247; (202) 457-0588.
April 15. Ayn Rand Contest.
The Ayn Rand Institute invites high school juniors and seniors to enter an essay contest on Rand’s novel The Fountainhead. One first-prize winner receives a $10,000 award. Five second-prize winners receive $2,000 each, and 10 third-prize winners receive $1,000 each. The 800- to 1,600-word essay must focus on one of three topics specified by the institute. For more information, contact: Fountainhead Essay Contest, Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 6004, Inglewood, CA 90312; www.aynrand.org/contests.
April 30. Drug And Alcohol Prevention.
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest sponsored by the NO-ADdiction campaign, a nonprofit initiative working to prevent drug and alcohol use among students. In 300 words or fewer, students explain why they have chosen not to use drugs or alcohol and what they have done to further prevention efforts in their schools or communities. Participating schools select one essay for judging by a panel of celebrities. Ten students receive $500 each from the NO-ADdiction Scholarship Fund for postsecondary education; one school receives $5,000 for its efforts in drug and alcohol prevention. For more information, contact: NO-ADdiction Campaign, P.O. Box 4628, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-0628; (800) 662-3342; e-mail NoAd@aol.com.
*May 1. Publishing.
Landmark Editions Inc. announces the 1999 National “Written and Illustrated by . . .” Awards Contest. Youngsters may enter original books in one of three age categories: 6-9, 10-13, or 14-19. One winner from each category is awarded a publishing contract; winners receive an expenses-paid trip to the Landmark offices in Kansas City, Mo., where the staff assists in the preparation of their text and illustrations. Authors are paid royalties based on sales. Entry fee: $2. For more information, contact: 1999 NWIB Awards Contest, c/o Landmark Editions Inc., P.O. Box 270169, Kansas City, MO 64127; e-mail service@landmarkeditions.com; www.landmarkeditions.com.
*May 1. Science And Space.
The Lanacane Itch Information Center asks students in grades K-6 to submit questions about outer space to its 1999 Lanacane Itching To Know Science Contest. The ten most interesting entries are answered by NASA astronauts, and one of these ten winners is randomly selected to receive a three-day trip to U.S. Space Camp in Florida, California, or Alabama. Space experts respond to every student who enters the contest. Elementary school teachers of grades K-6 may also participate by submitting an original outer space-related lesson plan or science project. One grand-prize winner receives a trip to U.S. Space Camp for Educators in Alabama, along with $500, a framed award certificate, a National Space Society educator package, and membership in the NSS. Three runners-up each receive a telescope and cash prize as well as membership. For more information, contact: Lanacane Itching To Know Science Contest, P.O. Box 328-LC, White Plains, NY 10602.
*May 1. Vegetarian.
The Vegetarian Resource Group, a nonprofit organization, invites students ages 18 and under to submit essays on a diet that does not include fish, meat, or poultry. The two- to three-page essays may be based on research, interviews, and/or personal beliefs and experiences. A $50 U.S. savings bond is awarded to at least one winner in each of the following age categories: 8 and under, 9-13, and 14-18. For more information, contact: Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203; (410) 366-VEGE; e-mail vrg@vrg.org; www.vrg.org.
*May 15. Writing Contest.
Raspberry Publications Inc. invites students in grades 1-12 to participate in the Raspberry Young Authors 1999 Writing Contest. Contestants submit picture books suitable for grades 2-5. The grand-prize winner receives a scholarship and/or publishing contract. Fifteen honorable mention prizes of $25 also are awarded. For more information, contact: Raspberry Publications Inc., 7142 Dustin Rd., Galena, OH 43021; (800) 759-7171.
--John Cochran and Kate Sullivan
