Following is a list of contests, scholarships, and internships for students organized by application deadline. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*January 18. Essay Competition.
The United States Information Agency and the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers Inc. announce the Fulbright Young Essayist Awards. Students in grades 7-12 are invited to submit essays exploring international issues and cross-cultural experiences. Twelve students will win savings bonds worth between $500 and $2,500. Selected winning entries will be considered for publication in Scholastic Inc. magazines. For more information or essay contest guidelines, contact: Fulbright Young Essayist Awards, Alliance for Young Artists and Writers Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999; (212) 343-6493; World Wide Web http://www.usia.gov/education/fulbright50/contest.htm.
*January 31. Architecture Design.
The New Jersey Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture sponsors the 1997 National Architecture Design Competition for High School Students. Participating students design a community theater for their hometown. The top prize is a five-year scholarship to NJIT’s School of Architecture. Second prize is a five-year, half-tuition scholarship; four third-prize winners receive $250 cash awards. For more information and an entry form, contact: Craig Konyk, Competition Coordinator, School of Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102-1982; (201) 596-3080; fax (201) 596-8296; e-mail soacomp@hertz.njit.edu.
*January 31. Civics.
The Lutheran Brotherhood sponsors the RespecTeen Speak for Yourself Contest for students in grades 7 and 8. Competition participants research a national issue and write a letter about the topic to their U.S. representative. A panel of educators will choose a winner from each participating congressional district to receive a $50 savings bond. State winners will also be selected and will receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. For more information, contact: David Rustad, the Lutheran Brotherhood, 625 Fourth Ave., S.; Minneapolis, MN 55415; (612) 340-7037; e-mail Rustad. David@luthbro.com.
*February 1. Music.
The National Federation of Music Clubs invites music students ages 12-18 with visual, mental, or physical disabilities to apply for the Joyce Walsh Scholarship for the Handicapped. Students should send a letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor and a doctor’s letter describing their disability. An audio cassette of their instrumental or vocal performance is due March 1. Scholarships are awarded to 14 students; the first-prize winner receives $1,000. Applicants must be members of the Federation through their music group or individually. Contact: Chairwoman Joyce Walsh, 905 Dial Dr., Kennett, MO 63857; (573) 888-3347.
*February 3. Technology.
Toshiba, in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association, seeks applicants for its Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards. Teams of three or four K-12 students submit descriptions of technology that they think will exist 20 years into the future. Each student on four first-place teams wins a $10,000 savings bond; students on the eight second-place teams win $5,000 savings bonds. The teacher-advisers of the 12 finalist teams win Toshiba equipment for personal and school use. For more information, contact: Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (800) EXPLOR-9.
*February 28. Fiction.
Highlights for Children magazine invites children and adults to enter its 17th annual fiction-writing contest. Entries should be unpublished mystery stories of no more than 900 words (500 words for readers ages 2-12). Three winners receive $1,000, and their stories will be published in Highlights. Entries must be postmarked between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28. Send manuscripts with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Highlights for Children, 803 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431; (717) 253-1080.
*March 1. Cartoons.
NewsCurrents, a weekly current events program produced for schools by Knowledge Unlimited Inc., announces the NewsCurrents Student Editorial Cartoon Contest. Students in grades K-12 are invited to create a cartoon that will be judged on the basis of clarity, originality, and knowledge of the subject. First-, second-, and third-place winners will be named in three categories: K-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Winners will receive savings bonds, and the top 100 cartoons will be featured in the forthcoming book, Editorial Cartoons By Kids. For more information and contest rules, contact: Knowledge Unlimited, NewsCurrents Editorial Cartoon Contest, P.O. Box 52, Madison, WI 53701; (800) 356-2303.
*March 31. Internet Scholarships.
Universal Algorithms Inc., college-software producer, offers a $5,000 college scholarship. Students are eligible who apply via Collegenet’s Internet service as full-time students to colleges, universities, vocational schools, and technical training schools. Col-legenet offers information about financial aid, scholarships, college policies, and general information about higher education. For more information, contact: Universal Algorithms Inc., One S.W. Columbia, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97258; (503) 973-5200; http://www.collegenet.com.
*May 1. Gardening.
The National Gardening Association offers the Kids Growing with Dutch Bulbs award to 200 schools and youth groups. Winners receive 250 premium Dutch flower bulbs for a children’s planting program. Applicants pay a $5 fee to enter. Contact: Bulbs, National Gardening Association, 180 Flynn Ave., Burlington, VT 05401; (800) 538-7476; e-mail nga@garden.org.
