Following are contests, scholarships, and internships for students; the list is organized by application deadline. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*April 15. Essay Contest.
Signet Classic, publisher of literary works, invites high school juniors and seniors to participate in the Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest. Students write an essay on one of three topics pertaining to Billy Budd by Herman Melville. The essay must be submitted with a cover letter from a high school English teacher. Five winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and a Signet Classic Library for their schools. Contact: Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014.
April 30. Young Playwrights.
VSA, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, invites individuals with disabilities to enter the 1999 Playwright Discovery Program. Entrants submit an original, one-act script that focuses on some aspect of a disability. Work by a playwright 18 years old or younger is selected for production or a staged reading at the Kennedy Center in the fall of 1999. The winner also receives scholarship funds and a trip to Washington, D.C., to view the production. For more information, contact: VSA, 1300 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036; (800) 933-8721; fax (202) 737-0725; e-mail playwright@vsa.org .
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. Contact: 1999 NWIB Awards Con test, c/o Landmark Editions Inc., P.O. Box 270169, Kansas City, MO 64127; e-mail service@landmarkeditions.com; Web site 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; Web site www.vrg.org.
*June 1. Art Contest.
Earth and Sky Radio Series, a daily science radio program sponsored by the National Science Foundation, invites K-12 students to create artwork about one of its shows for the 1999 Young Artists Contest. The winning drawings will be displayed in the kids’ section of the Earth and Sky Web site. For more information, go to www.earthsky.com or e-mail kids@earthsky.com.
*June 1. Arts.
The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts honors high school seniors and artists ages 17 and 18 in the Arts Recognition and Talent Search. The foundation recognizes efforts in visual arts, dance, theater, writing, photography, and music composition and performance. Awards ranging from $100 to $3,000 are given to 125 students selected to take a one-week, expenses-paid trip to Miami for workshops and auditions. Students applying by June 1 pay a $25 entry fee; those applying between then and October 1 pay a $35 fee. Entrants submit slides of their artwork, video or audiotapes of performances, or writing samples. Contact: Arts Re cognition and Talent Search, 800 Brickell Ave., Suite 500, Miami, FL 33131; (800) 970-2787; Web site www.nfaa.org.
*June 1. Peace.
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation announces its 1999 Swackhamer Peace Essay Contest. Abolition 2000, a global network of groups and individuals who want to eliminate nuclear weapons, seeks an international treaty by 2000 for phased elimination of nuclear weapons. High school students should submit essays of 500-1,000 words on actions young people should take to realize this goal. Essays will be judged on subject knowledge, originality of ideas, development of point of view, insight, clarity, organization, and grammar. The first-, second-, and third-place winners will receive $1,500, $1,000, and $500, respectively. For more information, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, 1187 Coast Village Rd., Suite 123, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Or contact the foundation at: e-mail wagingpeace@napf.org; Web site www.wagingpeace.org.
*June 15. Essay Contest.
Get High on Music Not Drugs, an anti-drug program started by two musical performers, is holding the 1999 Say No Way to Drugs Essay Contest for students ages 8-17. Contestants must submit an essay of at least 500 words about why they choose not to use drugs and alcohol. There will be three prize winners and several honorable mentions. The first-place winner receives $500, second place $300, and third place $200. Entries must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Contact: Princessland Academy of Music, 88 Petersburg Rd., Petersburg, NJ 08270; Web site www.Pianoprincess.com.
*June 20. Publishing.
The 1999 Skipping Stones Youth Honor Awards recognize students ages 7-17 for their contributions to multicultural awareness, peace and nonviolence, social responsibility, and nature and ecology. Ten articles, poems, and photos that illustrate these themes will be selected for publication in Skipping Stones magazine. Entry fee: $3. Contact: Youth Honor Awards, Skipping Stones Magazine, P.O. Box 3939, Eugene, OR 97403-0939; (541) 342-4956.
--Kate Sullivan
