Following are application dates for student contests, scholarships, and internships. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*Open CARING AWARD
The Caring Institute seeks nominations of students 18 years old and younger who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, caring, and selflessness. Five winners each receive a $2,000 college scholarship, anexpenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a place in the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans. For more information, contact: Caring Institute, 320 A St. N.E., Washington, DC 20002; (202) 547-4273; e-mail inquiry@caring-institute.org.
*Open COMMUNITY SERVICE
Prudential Insurance’s Spirit of Community Initiative features the Prudential Youth Leadership Institute, which is open to high school students who demonstrate leadership potential in their community. Participants in the program complete 30 hours of curriculum work and a community service project that they choose, create, and implement. Contact: Points of Light Foundation, 1400 I St. N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 729-8000; www.pyli.org.
*Open CREATIVITY
Creative Kids magazine, a product of Prufrock Press, publisher of literature to support the education of gifted children, requests submissions from students ages 8 to 14. Original cartoons, songs, stories of 800 to 900 words, puzzles, photographs, artwork, games, activities, editorials, poetry, and plays are all accepted. Teachers or students submit work labeled with the child’s name, birthday, grade, school, and home address. Students whose materials are selected for publication receive a free copy of the Creative Kids issue in which their work appears. Contact: Submissions Editor, Creative Kids, P.O. Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813; (800) 998-2208; www.prufrock.com/mag_ck.html.
*Open HISTORY ESSAYS
The Concord Review, the only quarterly journal to publish secondary students’ academic work, accepts student essays on any historical topic. Essays should be approximately 5,000 words plus endnotes. They also must be accompanied by an entry form available on the Review’s Web site. Submissions chosen for publication are eligible for the Emerson Prize, a $3,000 award. For more information, contact: Concord Review, P.O. Box 661, Concord, MA 01742; (800) 331-5007 or (978) 443-0022; e-mail fitzhugh@tcr.org; www.tcr.org.
*Open PEN PALS
World Pen Pals promotes international friendship and cultural understanding among young people around the world. Students in grades 5 through college are invited to request an overseas pen pal. Teachers may request a brochure on class participation. For more information, contact: World Pen Pals, P.O. Box 337, Saugerties, NY 12477; (845) 246-7828; www.world-pen-pals.com.
*Open TELEVISION
CNN Newsroom, Turner Broadcasting’s news and features program for schools, airs student-produced videos. Students may submit reports of no more than 2½ minutes on any topic, although they are encouraged to focus on CNN’s monthly themes. Participation is open to schools enrolled in the CNN Newsroom classroom program and the Student Bureau Program. The two-part application is available online. For more information, contact: CNN Newsroom Program, 1 CNN Center, P.O. Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30348-5366; (800) 344-6219; www.turnerlearning.com.
April INTERNET YEARBOOK
Messages to the Future, a privately funded, not-for-profit organization, invites high school seniors to participate in a time capsule project. Members of the class of 2001 may submit snapshots, home videos, letters, and essays depicting their last year in high school. After graduation, the material will be posted on a Messages to the Future Web site for each school; sites will be linked to create a national interactive yearbook. For more information, go to www.messagestothefuture.org.
April 15 ADVERTISING
New Moon Publishing announces its Create Your Own Advertisement competition as a part of the Turn Beauty Inside Out campaign. Students ages 16 and younger create original Web, video, radio, and print advertisements that encourage advertisers to move away from the use of unreal models, lots of makeup, photo retouching, and special lighting. Entries should relate to the theme of inner beauty. The amount of the awards depends on available funds. All contest entries are assumed for publication and become the property of New Moon Publishing Inc. Contact: New Moon Ad Contest, P.O. Box 3620, Duluth, MN 55803- 3620; (218) 728-5507, ext. 10; e-mail lindae@newmoon.org; www.newmoon.org/TBIOD/contest.htm.
April 15 LITERATURE
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 The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. 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. For more information, contact: Penguin Putnam Inc., Academic Marketing Dept., Signet Scholarship Essay Contest, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014; www.penguinputnam.com/academic.
April 15 RURAL SCHOOLS
Students in grades 3-12 who attend rural schools are invited to participate in the National Rural Education Association Foundation Essay Contest. Applicants answer the question: How has rural America shaped my character? Elementary school entries are limited to 250 words; middle school and high school entries may be no more than 500 words. Essays are judged on originality, focus of topic, mechanics, and overall quality. The winning elementary student receives $250; the top middle school and high school entries each win $500. Contact: Joe Newlin, Executive Director, National Rural Education Association Headquarters, Room 246, Education Building, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523- 1588; (970) 491-7022; e-mail jnewlin@lamar.colostate.edu; www.nrea.colostate.edu.
April 16 ESSAYS
The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors an annual essay contest for high school juniors and seniors on Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead. Students submit 800- to 1,600- word essays on one of three topics chosen by the institute. The top essayist receives a $10,000 award; five second-prize winners receive $2,000 each, and 10 third-prize winners receive $1,000 each. Contact: The Fountainhead Essay Contest, Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 6099, Inglewood, CA 90312; (800) 365- 6552, ext. 209; e-mail essay@aynrand.org; www.aynrand.org/contests.
April 16 SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Foundation provides scholarships to engineering and science students throughout the nation. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, commitment to a college education, involvement in the school and community, career goals, and recommendations. Three hundred scholarships, ranging from $500 to $7,000, are awarded. To qualify, applicants must be high school seniors, undergraduates, or graduate students enrolled full-time as engineering or science majors. Contact: 5400 E. Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90022; (323) 888-2080; e-mail kathy@shpe.org; www.shpefoundation.org.
April 27 DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION
Full-time students in grades 9-12 are invited to enter an essay contest sponsored by the NO-ADdiction campaign, a nonprofit initiative to prevent drug and alcohol use among students. In 300 words, 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 hold competitions and select one essay for national judging by a celebrity panel of judges, including ’N Sync, Britney Spears, 98º, Mandy Moore, Kobe Bryant, Tyra Banks, Tatyana Ali, and BBMAK. Ten students receive $1,000 each from the NO- ADdiction Scholarship Fund for postsecondary education; one school receives $5,000 for its efforts in drug and alcohol prevention. Contact: NO-ADdiction Campaign, P.O. Box 4628, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-0628; (800) 662-3342; e-mail NoAd@aol.com.
April 30 ASTHMA
Schering/Key, a worldwide pharmaceutical company, offers the Will-to-Win Asthma Athletes Scholarships to any asthmatic high school senior who excels in athletics as well as academics. Selection is based on outstanding athletic achievement, academic achievement, community and extracurricular activities, and leadership abilities. One grant of $10,000, four grants of $5,000, and five grants of $1,000 are available. Scholarships are paid directly to the college or university where the student plans to pursue undergraduate studies. Contact: Will-to-Win Scholarship Foundation, 7300 Woolworth Ave., Omaha, NE 68124; (800) 558-7305; e-mail parents@parentsinc.org; www.parentsinc.org/finaid/a id6528.html.
May 1 SCHOLARSHIP
The Commonweal Foundation announces the Pathways to Success program that awards scholarships to attend boarding schools, providing students the opportunity to increase their academic skills, gain work experience, and expand their knowledge of life beyond their local communities. Scholarships may be used at any one of the Pathways Partner Schools and are determined on a case-by-case basis, not to exceed $4,000 per academic year. Funds are distributed directly to the schools. Any student who is new to the boarding school experience and entering grades 9-12 may apply. Students must have potential for success in a regular or accelerated classroom setting, be willing to participate in work and community service opportunities, and demonstrate financial need. Contact: Sharon Rubin, 10770 Columbia Pk., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20901; (301) 592- 1316; fax (301) 592-1307; www.commonweal-foundation.org.
*May 1 SCHOLARSHIP
The Youth and Education Services of the National Hot Rod Association announce the Sears Craftsman Scholarship to help college-bound high school seniors continue their education, while acknowledging the academic achievement, citizenship, extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience of each applicant. Three students from each of the seven geographical divisions of the NHRA, including all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, receive $1,000 scholarships. Applicants must be seniors graduating from public, private, or parochial schools between January 1 and June 30. They must demonstrate good character, a minimum GPA of 2.0, leadership ability, and involvement in extracurricular school and community activities. They also must plan to attend an accredited college, university, or technical/vocational program. Preference is given to those planning a career in automotive technology, industrial/technical manufacturing, or marketing. For more information, contact: NHRA, Youth & Education Services, Sears Craftsman Scholarship, P.O. Box 5555, Glendora, CA 91740-9555; (626) 914-4761, ext. 427; www.nhra.com/aboutnhr/youth.htm.
May 6-12 SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Intel invites 9th through 12th grade students to enter the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest precollege competition. Finalists are selected from Intel/ISEF-affiliated science fairs. Each fair may select two individual finalists and one team project to compete at the international level. More than 1,200 students earn the right to compete internationally in San Jose, Calif. Fair prizes, in over a dozen scientific categories, include college scholarships ranging from $500 to $40,000, prestigious internships, scientific field trips, and a grand-prize trip to attend the Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden. Contact: Science Service, Intel/ISEF, 1719 N St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-2255; fax (202) 785- 1243; e-mail sciedu@sciserv.org; www.sciserv.org/isef.
*May 15 PLAYWRIGHTS
Vision, Strength, and Artistic Expression, an international organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities, invites 6th through 12th grade students, with and without disabilities, to enter original, one-act plays in the 2001 VSA Arts Playwright Discovery Award Program. One play that explores perspectives on living with a disability is selected for full production or staged reading at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The winning playwright receives a monetary award and travel fare to see his or her play performed. Contact: VSA Arts, 1300 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036; (800) 933- 8721; (202) 737-0645; e-mail playwright@vsarts.org; www.vsarts.org.
*May 15 SOCIAL AWARENESS
Beyond Words Publishing announces the Kids’ Solutions Contest. Students ages 9 to 16 are encouraged to submit their ideas for how to solve one of the problems facing the world, such as homelessness, violence, or pollution. Beyond Words publishes 20 to 30 winning submissions in a book called Kids’ Solutions. Each entry should include a one- to two-page description of how to fix the problem or what the student is already doing to solve the problem at home or in the community. Winners receive a free copy of the book and have the opportunity to be interviewed for television, radio, or magazines. Contact: Kids’ Solutions Contest, Beyond Words Publishing Inc., 20827 N.W. Cornell Rd., Suite 500, Hillsboro, OR 97124; (503) 531-8700; e-mail info@beyondword.com; www.beyondword.com.
May 15 WOMEN ENGINEERS
The Society of Women Engineers offers a number of scholarships to women enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate ABET- accredited or SWE-approved engineering degree program or computer science program. SWE administers more than 100 different scholarship awards annually, ranging from $1,000 to over $5,000 per year. Freshman applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5; other criteria vary depending on the scholarship. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Contact: Scholarship Selection Committee, Society of Women Engineers, 120 Wall St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3902; (212) 509-9577; fax (212) 509-0224; e- mail hq@swe.org; www.swe.org.
*June 1 ARTS
The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts honors high school seniors and artists ages 17 and 18 through the Arts Recognition and Talent Search. The foundation recognizes talent in visual arts, film and video, dance, theater, writing, photography, and music composition and performance. Winners receive scholarships ranging from $100 to $3,000 and the chance to be named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. One hundred and twenty-five students also are selected to take an expenses-paid trip to Miami for Arts Week, which includes formal and final performances, interviews, master classes, and group projects. Students applying by June 1 pay a $25 entry fee; those applying after that but before October 1 pay $35. Entrants submit slides of their artwork, video- or audiotapes of performances, or writing samples. Contact: Arts Recognition and Talent Search, 800 Brickell Ave., Suite 500, Miami, FL 33131; (800) 970-2787; www.artsawards.org.
*June 1 PATRIOTISM
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge seeks entries for two essay contests for middle and high school students. Specific topics for the military essay contest vary, but students should focus on the themes of patriotism and responsible citizenship. Applicants for the youth essay contest should reflect on the theme “The Role of the American Citizen in the 21st Century.” All essays should be typed and run 500 to 1,000 words. Each contest honors one meritorious award recipient with a $100 U.S. savings bond and a George Washington honor plaque; one junior and one senior high school student in each contest receive a $50 U.S. savings bond and an honor ribbon. All entries receive an official Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge certificate. Contact: Carolyn Hallman, Director of Awards, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1601 Valley Forge Rd., Valley Forge, PA 19482; (610) 933-8825, ext. 234; fax (610) 935-0522; e-mail awards@ffvf.org.
*June 1 PEACE
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, an international educational organization, announces the theme for the 2001 Swackhamer Peace Essay Contest: Your choice for the most important peace hero of the 20th century. High school students should submit essays of 800 to 1,200 words supporting their choice and describing the qualities that make that person a peace hero. Essays are judged on subject knowledge, originality of ideas, development of point of view, insight, clarity, organization, and grammar. The first-, second-, and third- place winners receive $1,500, $1,000, and $500, respectively. Contact: Swackhamer Peace Essay Contest, PMB 121, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, 1187 Coast Village Rd., Suite 1, Santa Barbara, CA 93108-2794; wagingpeace@napf.org; www.wagingpeace.org.
—Marisha Goldham
