westminster college essay contest

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Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest

Giving   a   voice   to   students   so   they   may   engage   in   the   central   questions   that   impact   our     c u l t u r e   ., a letter to students from elie wiesel.

Whatever the answer to essential questions of society and individual human beings may be, education is surely its major component. But what would education be without its ethical dimension? Many of us believe them to be inseparable. That is why this Prize in Ethics Essay Contest was established in 1989 by our Foundation. Thousands of students from hundreds of colleges and universities across the nation have participated. Through their writing, they explored their concerns and beliefs, their fears and their hopes.

While we suggest relevant topics each year, applicants are encouraged to choose any subject they feel strongly about, provided it is related to the domain of ethics.

The quality of the essays we have received over the years has been remarkable. It is with great difficulty that winners are chosen by a special committee of teachers and scholars.

We appeal to college students to send us their essays. We promise you they will not be ignored. In fact, we shall be proud to be your first readers. And perhaps your first critics and publishers.

We wish you good luck.

2024 Writing Prompt

What challenges awaken your conscience?

Is it the conflicts in American society?  An international crisis?

Maybe a difficult choice you currently face or a hard decision you had to make?

Engage us. Enlighten us. Explore the ethics of any problem, question, or issue, whether close to home or in the world at large. 

We are eager to learn from you.

What are the essay guidelines?

• In 3,000 to 4,000 words (6-8 pages), you are encouraged to raise questions, single out issues and identify dilemmas. 
• Essays may be written in the formal or informal voice, but most importantly, an individual voice should be evident. 
• Essay must be the original, unpublished work however can be a paper that was turned in for class. 
• Only one essay per student per year may be submitted. 
• Essay should be titled, typed in 12-point font easily readable font (such as Times New Roman), double-spaced with 1″ margins, and numbered pages.
• Submissions will be judged anonymously. Hence, no name or identifying references (i.e. your name, school, or professor) should appear on the title page or in the document. Our office will put a code on your essay.

Am I eligible?

Registered undergraduate students at accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States during the Fall 2023 semester are eligible to enter the 2024 contest. 

Students who are studying abroad during the Fall 2023 semester are eligible, as long as they are registered as full-time juniors or seniors at their home schools in the U.S

Students are NOT eligible to enter if…

• They are not yet attending college (includes not attending during the Fall 2023 semester) or are in high school.
• They attend two-year programs or schools.
• They are enrolled in an associate degree or community college program.
• They are part-time junior or senior students during the Fall 2023 semester.
• They finished their undergraduate studies before the Fall 2023 semester.
• They are in a doctorate, masters, or any graduate program.
• They are attending an unaccredited school as acknowledged by the National Student Clearinghouse. 
• They are students at a school outside of the U.S.

If you are not eligible this year, you may be eligible in the following years. New application forms and guidelines are posted every fall.

What should I write about in my essay?

The Foundation receives many inquiries regarding what students may write about in their essays. The topics provided by the Foundation each year are merely suggested topics – students may feel free to write about any topic as long as it pertains to ethics.

Who can be my faculty sponsor (optional)?

Where can I find past winning essays?

Previous winners can be found below. Winning essays from the past ten years are available to read as well.

Earlier essays were published in An Ethical Compass .

Where can I find other scholarship resources or contests I am eligible for?

• www.fastweb.com
• www.scholarships.com
• www.internationalstudent.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.studentawards.com
• www.myscholly.com

Can I use ChatGPT or AI to produce my essay or aid my writing?

Use of writing that is generated or aided by Artificial Intelligence is strictly prohibited.  If determined AI was utilized, this may result in disqualification. 

The essay submitted must be your own original, unpublished work however can be a paper that was turned in for class.

2023 Winners

First Prize

Danielle Ranucci

Princeton University

Second Prize

Cutter Canada

Trinity University

Third Prize

Honorable Mention

Nikkisha Joseph

CUNY Laguardia

Faith Seawell-Campbell

Coppin State University

*Please note that all essays are the property of The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity and may not be published elsewhere without written permission from the Foundation. All views and opinions expressed in the winning essays are those of the individual writers. The Foundation does not necessarily share these views.

Past Years' Winners

Click on the contest year to view the winners & their essays for that year.

Michael Zhu A Lonely Farewell University of Connecticut

Honorable Mentions

An Ethical Compass

In 2010, The Elie Wiesel Foundation published a book of winning essays from the span of the Prize in Ethics Essay Contest. The book includes a preface written by Prof. Wiesel and an introduction by renowned author and  New York Times  Op-Ed contributor Thomas Friedman.

2019 Marked the 30th Anniversary of Our Prize in Ethics

We celebrated by welcoming our past winners to come together for the day at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC to consider their essays and the ethics of our world today. Thank you to those to who contributed their memories to the following video and participated in the day.

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Westminster student finalist in essay contest

By deseret news.

Westminster College student Lynette Sieger has been named one of 13 finalists for the Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest.

If she wins the national prize, Sieger will become Utah's first recipient of the prestigious national award.

Sieger, who is majoring in philosophy and political science, entered an essay on "Torture: The Bleeding of Universal Human Rights," which was selected as a finalist from approximately 300 essays submitted nationwide. Winners will be announced in April.

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Find the Writing Center in Bassis 116

Writing center.

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Appointments

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Handouts and Resources

Become a consultant.

The Writing Center provides free assistance with writing, reading, and speaking to all Westminster students, faculty, and staff. When you come to the Writing Center, you can expect an individualized session with an experienced writing consultant who will provide feedback at every stage of the writing process, from research and brainstorming to final edits. Consultants can offer feedback for any writing, whether for classes, applications, scholarships, graduate programs, or personal writing projects. The center also provides language support for multilingual students.

Mission Statement

The Westminster University Writing Center supports writing and writing instruction by all members of the Westminster community through individual writing consultations, in-class writing workshops, and faculty professional development.

At the Westminster University Writing Center, consultants pride themselves on their ability to engage a sizable community of writers, furthering their education through compassionate, respectful one-on-one consultations. Our consultants are committed to helping students engage with ideas, create and develop arguable claims, and make informed decisions about their own writing. Writing Center consultants collaborate with all students, from all disciplines, at any stage of the writing process, on any aspect of writing.

Writing Center consultants employ best practices to foster learning. Rather than tell writers how to write, we prioritize involving the writer in their work and encourage students to develop their own authentic voice. We strive to teach students long-term writing habits and revision skills rather than simply editing students’ work for them. The Writing Center conforms to the Westminster University Policy on Academic Honesty, insisting that all students’ academic work be their own.

Statement Against Racism and Linguistic Injustice

The Westminster University Writing Center is committed to fostering a learning environment that is racially and linguistically inclusive. As part of a higher education system that was built upon racially exclusive language, thought, and methods, it is our responsibility to identify these oppressive structures, recognize how they are perpetuated, and take action to reduce them.

Operating at a predominantly white institution, we have consciously and unconsciously perpetuated an oppressive language ideology that harms speakers and writers of marginalized languages and dialects, particularly students of color and multilingual students. By privileging one variety of English (typically dubbed “standard”) as the only suitable means of expression, we have been complicit in white supremacy, academic discrimination and linguistic injustice. Standard English is not race-neutral and in fact upholds the assumption that the speech and writing of middle- and upper-class white English speakers is the norm by which all other languages and dialects should be judged. Other dialects or ways of writing are seen as deficient, and students are instructed to change their language to conform to this standard, thereby ignoring the diverse languages and dialects that Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander, low-income, and multilingual students bring to our community. Failing to accept students’ right to communicate in these equally valid and expressive varieties of language has limited the identities they can express and in many cases led them to silence themselves from using those varieties. As perceived enforcers of this standard, we have benefited from the privilege it affords us.

To reject these racist and linguistically oppressive assumptions and work instead for an inclusive and anti-racist practice, we commit ourselves to the following:

• Call out Racism : We will open dialogues in the Writing Center about how racism influences the way we write, how we were told to write, and how we are graded. We will focus on centering people of color and multilingual students at the heart of these discussions and de-centering “standard” American English while acknowledging the power and privilege that it conveys.
• Invite all Language Varieties : We will consult with writers on the basis that no language variety is better than another, and that the dismissing of any language variety as “incorrect” is based on social standards, not quality of language. By doing so, we will create a brave space for both writing center staff and writers to express their identities, helping writers make informed choices to use the full range of language at their disposal, including but not limited to standard English.
• Involve Faculty and Staff : We will convey our message to Westminster staff and faculty to encourage open-mindedness to students’ language varieties and to decenter standard English as the only acceptable means of communication. We will do so by fostering campus discussion of inclusivity and raising marginalized voices, particularly as it relates to linguistic justice. We will help faculty learn how to help students acquire the conventions of standard academic English while developing and using other language varieties.
• Question our own Biases : We will develop professionally to understand how intersections of race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and language affect writing and operate within a predominantly white academic institution. We will continue to critically analyze our own overt and covert racial and linguistic biases. We will hold each other accountable for these biases and continue to educate ourselves and writers about the importance of recognizing and combating linguistic injustice. While we understand that we may often fall short in these efforts, we will continue to work toward a just, equitable, and inclusive writing center praxis.

The Writing Center offers 3 kinds of writing consultations during posted hours :

      MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR REQUEST FEEDBACK

Synchronous Online

Asynchronous Online

You can watch an instructional video if you need help arranging an online consultation or e-consultation. To receive feedback through an e-consultation, you must upload your writing and include a description of the assignment. If you request an e-consultation, a consultant will get feedback to you within 2 business days.

What to Expect (Students)

The Writing Center is available to help all Westminster University students at every stage of the writing process, from planning written work to writing and revising it. In addition, the Writing Center can help you develop your abilities to locate authoritative sources, cite and quote them responsibly, and write persuasively.

Writing consultants are trained in grammar and punctuation issues and can teach you how to edit and proofread your paper, but they will not edit or proofread for you. All work done and discussed in the Writing Center will remain confidential and not be shared without your permission.

The writing consultants are advanced writers who received training to help you improve your writing. Consultants represent diverse disciplines such as biology, business, chemistry, economics, education, English, environmental studies, history, music, philosophy, religious studies, and social sciences.

To prepare:

• Provide your student ID number when you make an appointment.
• Allow at least 45 minutes for a face-to-face consultation.
• Schedule an appointment at least 2 hours before the paper is due. Otherwise, you will not have enough time to receive help on your writing and revise it accordingly.
• Limit your appointments to 1 per day (per assignment). You can arrange multiple consultations for different writing assignments.

Faculty and Staff Assistance

In addition to offering faculty and staff feedback on their writing, the center also provides workshops and assistance with assignment design.

Contact the Writing Center Director, Chris LeCluyse, at 801.832.2417 or [email protected] ) if you would like:

• Writing Center flyers
• A brief presentation of the Writing Center's services
• An in-depth workshop on topics such as revision, academic style, citing sources, or particular kinds of writing
• Help with incorporating writing into a course, designing writing assignments, or giving feedback to students

Commenting on Student Papers Workshop

• Bassis 116 

May Term and Summer Hours

• Monday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Friday: 11 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Contact the Writing Center 

Phone:  801.832.2271

Email:  [email protected]

Citing and Using Sources

• Using and Citing Sources: The Basics
• Quoting and Paraphrasing Handout
• Cites sources by author and date and includes a final references list
• Cites sources by author and page and includes a final works cited list
• Cites sources in footnotes and includes a final bibliography
• Cites sources in order by superscript number and includes a final references list

Additional Resources

Giovale Library offers additional citation resources to help you ensure you're citing sources correctly.

Academic Writing

• Annotated Bibliographies
• Literature Reviews
• Thesis Statement

Professional Writing

• Cover Letters
• Application Essays
• Business Writing  

Organization

• Organization: Papers and Paragraphs
• Paragraph Pointers  (Professor Emeritus David Stanley)
• What do you mean by flow?

Grammar and Punctuation

• The Passive Voice
• Dashes, Colons, and Semicolons

English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Understanding Prepositions
• Choosing Articles for Common Nouns

For other handouts and information about writing, check out the Purdue Writing Lab (OWL) and the  Online Writing Center .

Register for LMW 310: Theory and Teaching of Writing. This course, offered spring semester each year, will introduce you to the teaching of university-level writing as well as the ideas behind it. In addition to learning about rhetoric and composition theory, you will see how writing is taught in the Writing Center and conduct your own writing consultations. Completing this course will qualify you to work in the Writing Center as a paid consultant. LMW 310 is a designated service-learning course. It also counts as an upper-division elective for the Literature, Media, and Writing (formerly English) major and meets the advanced writing requirement if taken for 3 or 4 hours.

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Westminster Alumna Wins Yale Photo Essay Contest

by Westminster College · January 14, 2016

Currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Enni Kallio ’14 recently won the 2015 Yale Journal of International Affairs Photo Essay Contest with her project entitled “A New Generation: Life in Rwanda Twenty Years after the Genocide.”

Kallio captured her award-winning photos while visiting Rwanda with Westminster professor Dr. Bob Hansen and Humanity for Children in 2014  (photo above, left, Kallio in Rwanda during that 2014 trip).

Kallio’s essay opens …

“Kwibuka? Remember? On April 6, 1994 the airplane carrying the President of Rwanda, Juvénal Habyarimana, and the President of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira, was shot down. Everyone on board was killed. During the one hundred days that followed, previously inconceivable violence targeting Tutsi civilians and moderate Hutus overtook the country.”

Read the full post and see the photos.

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Tags: Alumni & Friends Enni Kallio Habitat for Children Rwanda Westminster College Yale

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This is the editorial account for Westminster College news team. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or comments.

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Richard Badenhausen: Playing hooky from school can be a good thing

Utah bill to allow mental health days for students should be approved..

(Rick Bowmer | AP file photo) In this Nov. 14, 2019, photo, a student attaches a note to the Resilience Project board on the campus of Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah. The purpose of the project is to let students know that it is OK to struggle. More college students are turning to their schools for help with anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. That's according to an Associated Press review of more than three dozen public universities.

I’m privileged to know what’s on the minds of today’s high school students. As the dean of Westminster’s Honors College, I interact with hundreds of prospective students and their families each year; while as the administrator of our annual statewide high school essay contest on civility in politics and public life, I have a front row seat to the concerns of our young citizens: 223 students from 62 Utah schools weighed in with their thoughts this year and the fourth most popular topic was mental health awareness.

Because of that perspective, I support Utah House Bill 81 , sponsored by Rep. Mike Winder, R-West Valley City, which would add to the list of acceptable school absence excuses “mental or behavioral health.” In effect, the bill would allow students to be formally excused if they require a mental wellness day, just as they are released for an approved school activity like a band or football, a death in the family, an illness, an individualized education program or accommodation plan or a range of other events approved by local boards.

Such an expansion of the excused absence list would have myriad benefits for students, families and our community:

It would provide families with another tool to help raise their children into healthy adults.

It would flag students who might benefit from further evaluation and treatment.

It would help destigmatize discussions of mental health and wellness, appropriately treating mental wellness as one component of a student’s overall health.

It would signal to young people that institutions are set up to support their mental well-being, that they do not need to hide their struggles or press ahead when under duress.

College educators like myself see the effects of decisions made by parents and K-12 institutions during a child’s upbringing. The data are sobering: According to the University of Michigan’s Healthy Minds Network, which conducts the largest survey of college student wellbeing in the country, almost half of students are experiencing “clinically significant” mental health challenges and almost 50% of those with diagnosable issues are not receiving treatment.

It’s because of this national crisis that our Honors College introduced programming which teaches students mindfulness practices and puts them in touch with mental health campus resources. Recognizing this need in our community, Westminster’s new strategic plan contains integrated wellness as one of its three pillars, a comprehensive and far-reaching initiative that will help all students be ready to learn and flourish as healthy individuals. One of the hardest things for an adolescent to do is ask for help, which is why Rep. Winder’s bill is so important: it assists students in taking that first step.

Uncharitable readers might say that such moves coddle students, another concession to “snowflakes” who can’t hack the “real world,” especially since “back in the day” children walked five miles to school in the snow while suffering from the flu.

First of all, no they didn’t. Memory has an amazing capacity to enlarge the supposed challenges we overcame in the past. Second, today’s world is an unforgiving place. Our college admissions essays are filled with extraordinary accounts of young people navigating dire situations: parents dying of cancer or families tossed out of their homes. Even though life expectancy continues to climb in other developed countries, it has been falling in the U.S. since 2014 .

And just outside, the world is crumbling apart: The possible extinction of the human race via climate change continues its steady march forward; racial injustice remains deeply imbedded in our institutions and practices; social and political unrest has accelerated; food insecurity and housing challenges affect millions of citizens prompted by some of the most severe economic inequality in our nation’s history; and, of course, COVID-19 — a once-in-a-century pandemic that was the most popular topic covered by high schoolers in this year’s essay contest — has killed over 400,000 Americans. This dreadful reality sits uneasily before the eyes of our young people 24/7 on social media. There’s no escaping the horror.

We have much work to do helping our children manage the treacherous environment we’ve created for them. When headlines like the following one crawl across social media feeds — ” Earth is now losing 1.2 trillion tons of ice each year. And it’s going to get worse ” — it is not hard to see why we need to grant students and their families some flexibility in terms of how to work on mental hygiene.

After all, we want our young people to thrive in school so that they can continue on to college, where they can prepare to be the leaders of tomorrow helping solve such calamitous problems.

Richard Badenhausen | Westminster College

Richard Badenhausen is dean of the Honors College at Westminster College and past president of the National Collegiate Honors Council

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Halloween Horror Contest

Genres: Horror

The spooky season is almost upon us. We're looking for your creepiest horror stories. The ones that make us lay awake in bed at night gnashing our teeth, wondering about the sound coming from under the bed. The story can be a maximum of 5,000 words. There is no minimum.

Two runner-ups: $50

📅 Deadline: November 11, 2022 (Expired)

Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction

Lambda Literary

Genres: LGBTQ and Novel

The Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction, in memory of the celebrated author Randall Kenan, honors Black LGBTQ writers of fiction. The award will go to a Black LGBTQ writer whose fiction explores themes of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and/or history. To be eligible, the winner of the prize must have published at least one book and show promise in continuing to produce groundbreaking work.

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

HNS 2024 First Chapters Competition

Historical Novel Society

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Romance, Thriller, and Young Adult

The HNS UK 2024 First Chapters Competition is for the first three chapters of a full-length historical novel that has not been previously published in any form. We are looking to recognize and promote excellence in storytelling and the craft of historical fiction and its subgenres. The competition coincides with the HNS UK 2024 conference and the overall winner will be announced at the conference.

Category winners: £500 and HNS UK 2024 conference ticket

💰 Entry fee: $50

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2024 (Expired)

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry

The Letter Review

This Prize is free to enter. 2-4 Winners are published. We Shortlist 10-20 writers. Seeking poems up to 70 lines. Judges’ feedback available. Open to writers from anywhere in the world, with no style / theme restrictions. Judged blind. All entries considered for publication + submission to Pushcart.

Publication by The Letter Review

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024 (Expired)

Great American Fiction Contest

Saturday Evening Post

In its two centuries of existence, The Saturday Evening Post has published short fiction by a who’s who of great American authors, including Ray Bradbury, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Louis L’Amour, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, Joyce Carol Oates, Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Tyler, and Kurt Vonnegut, among so many others.

📅 Deadline: July 01, 2024

MoonLit Getaway Grand Opening Contest

MoonLit Getaway

Genres: Flash Fiction and Poetry

This contest is intended to promote our website’s September 23, 2024 launch, while providing opportunities for fiction writers, poets, and visual artists.

Publication for runners up

📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024

Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry

Beloit Poetry Journal

We’re open to a wide range of forms and styles in contemporary poetry. We’re always watching for new poets, quickened language, and work that offers a fresh purchase on the political or social landscape.

George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest

Third Wednesday

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The editors of Third Wednesday wish to honor the memory of George Dila, friend of Third Wednesday and the editor who originally brought fiction to 3W. To this end, we proudly announce the opening of The George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest. We accept entries of previously unpublished stories of under 1000 words in length (including title).

100 x3 Winning Stories

Publication in Third Wednesday magazine

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: August 15, 2024

Diode Editions Chapbook Contest

Diode Editions

Open to all poets over 18 years old writing in English. Collaborations, hybrid works, and simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please notify Diode Editions if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024

Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction

Letter Review

Genres: Flash Fiction, Short Story, and Fiction

This Prize is free to enter. 2-4 Winners are published. We Shortlist 10-20 writers. Seeking stories 0-5000 words. Judges’ feedback available. Open to writers from anywhere in the world, with no theme or genre restrictions. Judged blind. All entries considered for publication + submission to Pushcart.

Bridport Short Story Prize

Bridport Arts Centre

Gail Honeyman was shortlisted in our competition and went on to write Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, winning the Costa debut novel award. All the winning and highly commended pieces are entered into the Sunday Times Audible competition, top prize £30,000. UK based writers are entered into the BBC short story competition. That's not all, literary agent A.M. Heath reads all the shortlist and considers representation. Long story short? You are 5,000 words away from success.

£1000 for 2nd, £500 for 3rd

💰 Entry fee: $17

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024

Debut Dagger

Crime Writer's Association

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Suspense, and Thriller

The Debut Dagger is a competition for the opening of a crime novel by a writer who isn’t represented by an agent by the time the competition closes, and who has never had a traditional contract for any novel of any length, or who has never self-published any novel of any length in the last 5 years. Writers submit their opening 3,000 words and a 1,500 word synopsis. Entries from shortlisted writers are sent to UK literary agents and publishers. Every year, authors find representation this way.

💰 Entry fee: $41

Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry

Lynx House Press

The annual Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry awards $2000 plus publication for a full-length poetry collection. The Prize is awarded for an unpublished, full-length volume of poems by a U.S. author, which includes foreign nationals living and writing in the U.S. and U.S. citizens living abroad. Lynx House Press has been publishing fine poetry and prose since 1975. Our titles are distributed by the University of Washington Press.

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: June 16, 2024

F(r)iction Contests

Brink Literacy Project

Genres: Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

For our contests, we seek writing that pushes boundaries and challenges us to think differently. We like work that features complex characters and strong narratives, and plays with genre, setting, voice, you name it. For Spring 2024, we have Wole Talabi judging Short Story, Sherrie Flick judging Flash Fiction, C. S. E. Cooney judging Poetry, and Marin Sardy judging Creative Nonfiction.

📅 Deadline: November 03, 2024

Lune Poetry Contest

A Lune is a 5-3-5 contest. That means the first line has five syllables. The second line of your poem will have three. And the final line will have five again. Your poem can rhyme. Write about anything. Cash prize!

📅 Deadline: April 07, 2024 (Expired)

Self-Publishing Literary Awards

Black Caucus

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel, and Poetry

Through this contest, the BCALA honors the best self-published ebooks by an African American author in the U.S. in both fiction and poetry genres. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora. The purpose is to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and scholarly research including biographical, historical, and social history treatments by African Americans.

Passionate Plume

Passionate Ink

Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, and Short Story

The 2024 Passionate Plume celebrates the best in erotic fiction, both long and short, and features a special category for emerging authors.

Engraved award

Publication in the Passionate Ink Charity Anthology

📅 Deadline: March 21, 2024 (Expired)

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Winning Writers

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Welcome to the 31st annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $9,000 in prizes.

Two-year gift certificate from Duotrope; 10 Honorable Mentions will receive $300 each

Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse.

Why you should submit to writing contests

Submitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes!

That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. 

But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them.

When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine.

Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story!

For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course: How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine.

In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing.

In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule.

Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement?

The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing.

Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure.

Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024

Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. 

Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions.

Free online courses

On Writing:

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction

How to Write a Novel

Understanding Point of View

Developing Characters That Your Readers Will Love

Writing Dialogue That Develops Plot and Character

Stop Procrastinating! Build a Solid Writing Routine

On Editing:

Story Editing for Authors

How to Self-Edit Like a Pro

Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites

How to Write a Short Story in 7 Steps

Reedsy's guide to novel writing

Literary Devices and Terms — 35+ Definitions With Examples

10 Essential Fiction Writing Tips to Improve Your Craft

How to Write Dialogue: 8 Simple Rules and Exercises

8 Character Development Exercises to Help You Nail Your Character

Bonus resources

200+ Short Story Ideas

600+ Writing Prompts to Inspire You

100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors

Story Title Generator

Pen Name Generator

Character Name Generator

After you submit to a writing competition in 2024

It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit:

Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over.

If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere.

After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests.

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Essay Writing Contests: The Ultimate List of 2024

Did you know that the very first recorded essay contest can be traced back to the early 16th century, initiated by none other than the renowned philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne? In 1580, Montaigne published his collection of essays titled 'Essais,' which not only marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the essay as a literary form but also contained an implicit challenge to his readers. He encouraged them to engage with his ideas and respond by writing their own essays, essentially laying the groundwork for what we now recognize as essay contests.

Fast forward to the vibrant year of 2024, and this tradition of writing competitions has evolved into a global phenomenon, offering emerging writers from all walks of life a captivating platform to share their thoughts, emotions, and narratives with the world.

In this article, our essay writer will review essay writing contests, presenting you with an exclusive selection of the most promising opportunities for the year ahead. Each of these competitions not only provides a stage to demonstrate your writing prowess but also offers a unique avenue for personal growth, self-expression, and intellectual exploration, all while competing for impressive writing awards and well-deserved recognition.

Top Essay Writing Contests in 2024

If you enjoy expressing your thoughts and ideas through writing, you're in for a treat. Essay writing competitions in 2024 offer you a chance to do just that and win some great prizes in the process. We've put together a list of contests specially designed for students like you. These contests cover various interesting essay topics , giving you a unique opportunity to showcase your writing skills and potentially earn cash prizes or scholarships. So, let's jump right into these fantastic opportunities.

2024 International Literary Prize by Hammond House Publishing

The 2024 Writing Competition beckons writers with over £3000 in cash prizes, publication opportunities in anthologies, and a chance to participate in a televised Award Ceremony. Sponsored by the University Centre Grimsby, this annual contest, now in its eighth year, draws entries from approximately 30 countries worldwide. Entrants can vie for prizes across four categories, gaining exposure at the televised award ceremony and receiving expert feedback at the annual literary festival.

And if you're determined to learn how to overcome writer's block for this contest, we have a wealth of expert tips and strategies to guide you through the process!

Deadline: 30th September 2024

• 1st Prize: £1000
• 2nd Prize: £100
• 3rd Prize: £50

Ready to Break Free From Essay Stress?

Let our writing wizards rescue your grades with a tailor-made essay that'll make your professors do a double-take!

International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition by Vine Leaves Press

Vine Leaves Press welcomes writers worldwide, prioritizing voices from marginalized communities such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities, among others. Submissions, which must be in English and previously unpublished, are accepted from February 1, 2024, until July 1, 2024. Manuscripts can be either narrative (50,000 – 80,000 words) or experimental (at least 100 pages), adhering to specific formatting guidelines, including anonymity to ensure impartial judging. Each submission requires a $25 entry fee via Submittable, and multiple entries are allowed. Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity, writing quality, and adherence to genre, with finalists announced in October 2024, shortlisted in January 2025, and winners in March 2025.

Deadline: July 01, 2024

• The winner will receive a cash prize of $1000.
• Publication of the winning manuscript will occur in 2026 by Vine Leaves Press.
• Runners-up will also be considered for publication.

Solas Awards by Best Travel Writing

The Solas Awards, continuing a tradition since 1993, celebrate travel stories that inspire. They're looking for engaging tales that capture the essence of exploration, whether funny, enlightening, or adventurous. Winners may get published and join a community of fellow storytellers. Entries in essay, non-fiction, and travel genres are welcome with a $25 submission fee.

Deadline: September 21, 2024

• $1,000 Gold
• $750 Silver
• $500 Bronze

Vocal Challenges by Creatd

Vocal, in partnership with Voices in Minor (ViM), announces a creator-led challenge in celebration of International Women's Day, open to all Vocal creators. Participants are invited to write a 600-800 word piece about a woman who has inspired them for International Women's Day in the Year of the Dragon 2024. Submissions must adhere to specific length criteria and can be of any genre or format. Vocal will review entries and create a shortlist, from which ViM will select two co-grand prize winners and ten runners-up.

Deadline: Mar 12, 2024

• 2 Co-Grand Prizes: $200
• 10 Runners-up: $20

Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition 2024

The Re:think Essay Competition welcomes students aged 14 to 18 worldwide to participate in crafting essays under 2000 words, following MLA 8 citation style, with submissions undergoing plagiarism and AI checks. Essay prompts cover diverse themes, such as the role of women in STEM , provided by distinguished professors from prestigious institutions like Harvard, Brown, UC Berkeley, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT. To maintain anonymity during review, submissions should be in PDF format without personal details.

Deadline : 10th May, 2024

• Gold: $150 cash, $500 CCIR scholarship, digital certificate, interview, Cambridge invite.
• Silver: $100 cash, $300 CCIR scholarship, digital certificate, interview, Cambridge invite.
• Bronze: $50 cash, $200 CCIR scholarship, digital certificate, interview, Cambridge invite.

The Hudson Prize by Black Lawrence Press

Each year, Black Lawrence Press presents The Hudson Prize, inviting submissions for an unpublished collection of poems or prose. This competition is open to writers at all stages of their careers, offering the winner book publication, a $1,000 cash prize, and ten copies of the published book. Entries are read blind by a panel of editors, requiring manuscripts to adhere to specific formatting guidelines, including pagination and font choice. Poetry manuscripts should be 45-95 pages, while prose manuscripts should range from 120-280 pages.

Deadline : March 31, 2024

• Top prize $1,000

Irene Adler Prize by Lucas Ackroyd

Introducing The Irene Adler Prize essay writing contest, offering a $1,000 US scholarship to the winner, with up to two $250 awards for honorable mentions. Open to women pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degrees in journalism, creative writing, or literature worldwide, regardless of age. Unlike previous years, this year's competition welcomes applicants from any country. The application period runs from January 30, 2024, to May 30, 2024, with no late submissions accepted. Each application requires a 500-word essay on one of five provided prompts and a completed entry form, both submitted via email.

Deadline : May 30, 2024

• 2x honorable mentions: $250

100 Word Writing Contest by Tadpole Press

With a doubled first-place prize of $2,000 USD, participants are invited from all corners of the globe, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. Pen names are accepted, and winning entries will be published under those names. Previously published pieces are also welcome, with no restrictions. Any genre is accepted, with the theme centered around creativity. Each entry must be 100 words or less, including the title.

Deadline : April 30, 2024

• 1st place: $2,000 USD.
• 2nd place: Writing coaching package valued at $450 USD.
• 3rd place: Developmental and diversity editing package valued at $250 USD.

African Diaspora Awards 2024 by Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

The African Diaspora Award 2024 seeks original works from Afro-descendants, including short stories, flash fiction, essays, poetry, or visual art. Winners can earn up to $1000 USD and publication in Kinsman Quarterly and "Black Butterfly: Voices of the African Diaspora." Submissions reflecting cultural themes are due by June 30, 2024. Authors retain copyrights, and entrants must be 18 or older. No plagiarism is allowed, and Kinsman Quarterly employees cannot enter. Various genres are accepted with specific word count limits.

Deadline : June 30, 2024

• Grand Prize: $1000 cash and publication in Kinsman Quarterly & anthology.
• 1st Runner Up: $300 cash and publication 
• 2nd Runner Up: $200 cash and publication 
• 3rd Runner Up: $50 cash and publication
• Top 6 Finalists: $25 Amazon gift card and publication 
• 6 Honorary Mentions: Publication in Kinsman Quarterly & anthology.

Work-In-Progress (WIP) Contest by Unleash Press

The Unleash WIP Award 2024 offers $500, feedback, coaching, and a feature in Unleash Lit to help writers with their book projects in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. All writers can apply. So, if you're looking for resources like free Harvard online courses to hone your writing skills, consider entering this competition. Submissions of the first 25 pages and answers to questions are due by July 15, 2024. Multiple entries are okay, but follow the rules, especially keeping your submission anonymous. Unleash also welcomes previously self-published works.

Deadline : July 15, 2024

• Top prize: $500
• Additional prizes: Coaching, interview, and editorial support

Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award by Trio House Press

Open to all writers, the poetry manuscripts should be 48-70 pages, and the prose manuscripts should be up to 80,000 words. Submissions must be from U.S. residents and must be original works. AI-generated submissions and translations are not eligible. Manuscripts should be sent as a single Word doc. or docx. file with no identifying information, and a cover letter with bio and contact details should be uploaded separately.

Deadline: May 15, 2024

• $1,000, publication, and 20 books

Poetry & Spoken Word Competition 2024 by Write the World

Young writers aged 13 to 19.5 are invited to enter this upcoming competition, with submissions of 50 to 500 words. Inspired by Audrey Lorde's words and the power of poetry, participants are encouraged to craft original poems or spoken word pieces advocating for change and self-expression. Winners, including top prizes for written and recorded performances, will be announced on June 14. Malika Booker, a renowned British poet, serves as the guest judge. To enter, writers should sign up on Write the World, respond to the prompt, and submit their final entries before the deadline.

Deadline : May 27, 2024

• Best entry: $100
• Best Peer Review: $50

Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

The Killer Nashville essay writing contests seek to uncover new talent and recognize outstanding works by established authors, aiming to introduce their works to a broader audience. With numerous fiction and non-fiction categories available, writers have the opportunity to showcase their talent across a wide range of genres. The top prize includes a $250 award, and entry requires a fee of $79. Genres eligible for entry encompass crime, essay, fantasy, fiction, humor, memoir, mystery, non-fiction, novel, poetry, science fiction, script writing, short story, and thriller.

Deadline : June 15, 2024

• Top prize: $250

Journalism Competition 2024 by Write the World

In this upcoming competition, young writers aged 13 to 19.5 are invited to participate, with entries ranging from 400 to 1000 words. Participants are tasked with exploring and reporting on significant events within their own country, fostering a deeper understanding of local issues. Optional draft submissions for expert review are available until July 8, with feedback returned to writers by July 12. Winners will be announced on August 9. To enter, writers must sign up for a free account on Write the World, respond to the prompt, and submit their final entries before the deadline.

Deadline : July 22, 2024

National Essay Contest by U.S. Institute of Peace

This year, AFSA is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the United States Foreign Service. They've been involved in important events throughout history, like making decisions about war and peace, supporting human rights, and responding to disasters. Now, AFSA wants students to think about the future of diplomacy. They're asking students to imagine how diplomats can adapt to the changing world and its challenges. It's a chance for students to explore how diplomacy can continue to make a difference in the world.

Deadline : April 01, 2024

• Top prize: $2,500
• Additional prizes: Runner-up: $1,250

In 2023, the world of writing competitions offers a diverse tapestry of opportunities for writers across the globe. From exploring the depths of nature to delving into the mysteries of microfiction, these competitions beckon with enticing prizes and platforms for your creative voice. So, pick your favorite, sharpen your pen, and embark on a journey of literary excellence!

Unlock the Essay Enchantment!

Our expert wordsmiths are standing by, wands at the ready, to craft your essay masterpiece. No potions, just perfect prose!

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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The Fountainhead Essay Contest

Students      >      Essay Contests      >    The Fountainhead

Annual Grand Prize

June 7, 2024

Summer Entry Deadline

Book Length

Interested in participating?

Fill out the contact form below, and we’ll email you with more information about this year’s contest—including instructions on how to enter.

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We’ll email you more information about this year’s contest—including instructions on how to enter. In the meantime, please let us know at [email protected] if you have any questions. We’re happy to help.

What is The Fountainhead?

This modern classic is the story of intransigent young architect Howard Roark, whose integrity was as unyielding as granite…of Dominique Francon, the exquisitely beautiful woman who loved Roark passionately, but married his worst enemy…and of the fanatic denunciation unleashed by an enraged society against a great creator.

As fresh today as it was then, Rand’s provocative novel presents one of the most challenging ideas in all of fiction—that man’s ego is the fountainhead of human progress.

How It Works

Every three months there is a new seasonal entry round, with its own unique essay prompt. You may compete in any or all of these entry rounds.

The top three essays from each season will be awarded a cash prize. The first-place essay from each season will advance to compete for the annual grand prize.

The first-place essay from each season will be eligible to contend for the annual first-place title, with the opportunity to secure a grand prize of $25,000.

Challenging Essay Topics

Each entry round features a unique topic designed to provoke a deeper understanding of the book’s central themes and characters.

Essays must be written in English only and between 800 and 1,600 words in length, double-spaced.

Questions? Write to us at [email protected] .

• Summer Prompt
• Fall Prompt
• Winter Prompt

The essay prompt for our fall entry period has not yet been determined. We will post it here as soon it’s available.

The essay prompt for our winter entry period has not yet been determined. We will post it here as soon it’s available.

Grand Prize

Master our grading standards.

Essays are judged on whether the student is able to justify and argue for his or her view, not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. 

Our graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized.  Essays should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel. 

Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of The Fountainhead .

Organization

Understanding, contest timeline, discover the power of the fountainhead.

What motivates a creative thinker?

Is it a selfless desire to benefit mankind? A hunger for fame, fortune, and accolades? The need to prove superiority? Or is it a self-sufficient drive to pursue a creative vision, independent of others’ needs or opinions?

Ayn Rand addresses these questions through her portrayal of Howard Roark, an innovative architect who, as she puts it, “struggles for the integrity of his creative work against every form of social opposition.”

Learn more and request a free digital copy of the book today.

Learn from Past Winners

Curious to know what makes for a winning essay in The Fountainhead  contest? Check out some of the essays written by our most recent grand-prize winners. 

To varying degrees, they all display an excellent grasp of the philosophic meaning of The Fountainhead .

See the full list of winners from our most recent contest here .

Jada Manaloto

12th grade student

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

New York, New York

United States

John F. Kennedy High School

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Soo Yeon Chun

Deerfield Academy

Deerfield, Massachusetts

Cora Usurela

11th grade student

Thornhill Secondary School

Thornhill, Ontario

Shepherd International Edu.

Gangdong-gu, Seoul

South Korea

Lucas Pringle

Repton School

Repton, England

United Kingdom

Improve Your Writing Skills

Other than endorsing perfect punctuation and grammar in English, the Ayn Rand Institute offers no advice or feedback for essays submitted to its contests. However, we do recommend the following resources as ways to improve the content of your essays.

The Fountainhead

Writing: a mini-course.

Sign Up for Contest Updates!

Want to stay up-to-date on any new developments to the contest? Sign up to our email list below.

We’ll send you periodic reminders about the contest deadlines, as well as helpful resources to ensure you get the most out of your experience reading and writing about Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead .

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Then, when you're ready to submit your essay, just return to our platform. Your saved entry will be right where you left off. So, why wait? Take the first step, and start your entry today.

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Westminster Kennel Club dog show: A big upset on agility day, betting on Best in Show and more

Based on name alone, “Nimble” should have been an odds-on favorite to win the Westminster Kennel Club’s Masters Agility Championship Saturday night at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. But she entered the contest as barely an afterthought and pulled off a major upset to win her category.

More than 350 dogs competed in agility on Saturday; the top 10 from each height category (8”,   12”,   16”, 20″ and 24”) move on from the preliminaries to the championships. Border Collies have won eight of the last 11 agility titles; an Australian Shepherd won in 2016, a Shetland Sheepdog in 2022.

One of the reasons that six-year-old Nimble might have been something of a long shot was her breed. She’s classified as an “All-American Dog,” WKC-speak for mixed breeds or (less charitably?) mutts. One look at her, though, and even the most uninformed of observers would likely have put her in the contender category: she’s a Border Collie/Papillon cross. The latter breed has dominated this competition, and the top three finishers in this year’s 8” class were all Papillons.

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Another underdog factor is Nimble’s size: no 12” dog had ever emerged as agility champion at this event.

But she’s trained and handled by Cynthia Hornor of Ellicott City, MD, who won the 20” Masters Agility last year at this show with Truant, a Border Collie. Truant and Hornor also won their class at the American Kennel Club Nationals two years ago, while Nimble took the 12” class at that event this year.

Nimble’s class went fourth of five, and she was the eighth of 10 in her class to compete. A Cocker Spaniel named Allie, handled by Staten Island’s Jennifer Albrizio, was in the lead with a clean run and a time of 38.59 through the 18 elements, which include:

• Pause Table
• Weave Poles
• Double Bar Jump
• Triple Bar Jump

(Note: some elements are repeated throughout the run, totaling 18)

All business from the jump, Nimble zipped through the elements, eliciting cries of delight from the spectators, who just about   filled the lower bowl of the stadium. Disciplined and speedy at every step, Nimble cut corners and seemed to barely need cuing — and though she took one of the last jumps a little wide, she stopped the timer in 28.76, bettering Allie’s time by nearly 10 seconds, bringing the Ashe crowd to their feet (the record time is 28.44, set in 2013).

SUB :30 FOR NIMBLE! 🔥👏 A ROUND OF APP-PAWS FOR THOSE SPEEDY LITTLE LEGS! pic.twitter.com/b6rLlcMI3B — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 12, 2024

“I never thought a 12-inch dog could win overall here,” said Hornor after receiving her trophy. “She’s just the most special dog, and she is so fast. From the time she was about six months and we began to do foundation work, she would just leave me in the dust.”

Nimble won both the Agility Championship and the All-American Dog Award — the first dog to do so. The former is determined by how many yards per second the competitor covers, which generally favors the bigger dogs. Not this year.

Hornor also admitted that you need some luck not only to win top honors, but also to get to the final at all. There is a selection process that determines which dogs move on from the preliminaries — finishing among the fastest in a size class doesn’t necessarily mean getting to compete. To avoid having a final class that is all one breed, for example, judges might pass over a dog that finished fourth in the preliminaries, if the top four finishers were all of the same breed.

There were also concerns this year about the new competition surface, which, according to several handlers, led to more slipping than usual, both because the surface itself is slippery and because the surface would move under the dogs’ feet, preventing them from getting purchase as they approached an element.

Even after a catastrophic run, no doubt amid stinging disappointment, treats and hugs and love were plentiful. The dogs seemed fairly unperturbed and pretty happy, doing what dogs do, though Nimble did look a little tired in Hornor’s arms as the handler spoke to reporters.

Throughout the day, Nimble’s charisma, speed, and personality got the audience’s attention. I was in attendance and can admit she was hard to take your eyes off.

“That’s why I wanted to get her to the final,” said Horner. “I knew that she would be a dog that New York would love watching.”

But how about a dog New Yorkers would want to bet on?

I say this with the caveat that we don’t have to bet on everything . And the dog show is simply wonderful as it is — unperturbed by faux experts making picks on X accounts and bragging about their accomplishments later. But, coming off covering the Kentucky Derby, and days before I’ll cover the Preakness, I did at least… wonder.

Even if you had been able to suss out Nimble as an upset winner, you wouldn’t have been able to cash in on it, as U.S. sportsbooks don’t offer the bet.

Google “bet on WKC agility championships,” and you get a couple of sponsored ads for online betting companies and not much else. Search for information on the main dog show (taking place Monday and Tuesday evenings — the famed “Best in Show” is awarded Tuesday night), and a fair number of sites pop up that offer the odds on which breed will take Best in Show, but only sites in Canada and the U.K. seem to offer the actual bet.

Sportsbooks shy from taking bets on judged events, preferring outcomes that take place on the field of play. The Agility competition, however, places dogs based on the speed with which they navigate an obstacle course of jumps, weaving poles, and climbing elements, with an on-course judge deducting points for infractions like knocking down a jump bar, doing the obstacles in the wrong order, or missing one of the weave poles.

“U.S. sportsbooks are held to an extremely high regulatory standard,” said Brianne Doura-Schawohl, gaming policy expert and founder/CEO of Doura-Schawohl Consulting . “They are only allowed to offer bets if an ‘event,’ such as the Westminster Kennel Club Agility Championship or main show, has been authorized and deemed acceptable by the state gaming regulator/authority.” To Doura-Schawohl’s knowledge, no state regulator has approved the events yet.

Which isn’t to say the books can’t ask. “Several years ago,” Doura-Schawohl says, “the State of Colorado was approached by a sportsbook to take bets on the Puppy Bowl. While ultimately rejected due to integrity concerns, many books, when asked if they would consider such a thing, balked at the idea.”

(It did, however, lead to this sparkling, hilarious essay as one writer tried to track down which company requested permission to take the bet.)

Doura-Schawohl also cautioned that any customers who do find such opportunities online would likely be betting with an unprotected, illegal sportsbook, not held to the same regulations and safeguards as registered legal U.S. books.

So there are no big betting scores awaiting you in the world of canine competition, but it’s not a lucrative one for the participants, either; as competition veteran Amy Epstein of Long Island put it, “You don’t make money in dog agility. You spend money.”

The winner of the Masters Agility Championship gets $5,000 – not to keep, but to donate to the American Kennel Club training club of their choice or the AKC Humane Fund. A donation of $1,000 is also made in the names of the Highest Scoring All-American Dog, as well as the four remaining first place dogs in their height classes.

Amy Haynes’ dog, Carat, qualified in terms of times for the final, but was ultimately not selected for the final. An agility competitor since 2011, Haynes also emphasized the need for everything to go just right.

“One little thing can go wrong, and that’s it,” she said. “And the dog doesn’t know he did something wrong, so you just have to love your dog.”

(All photos from WKC, via O & Co. Media)

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Teresa Genaro is a contributor to The Athletic's horse racing coverage. A veteran turf writer, she has published work in The New York Times, The Guardian, Bloodhorse magazine, The Racing Biz, and New York Breeder and was featured in the PBS documentaries The Track at Saratoga: America's Grandest Race Course and Old Bones: The Story of Exterminator. She co-hosted a web series for The Racing Biz on diversity and equity in the horse racing industry. A native of Saratoga Springs, she teaches high school English in Brooklyn.

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2021 Student Essay Contest: Undergraduate Honorable Mention

The poetry of mathematics, by ingrid ren (brown university), interviewee: joanne growney (bloomsburg university), “when i look around the room—if i don’t know in one glance how many women are there with me, i smile.” -joanne growney, “counting the women,” a 5×5 syllable-square poem, dr. joanne growney is a mathematician and a poet. her path in connecting the often-estranged sciences and humanities, mathematics and poetry, is one that, although unexpected to most, feels intuitive to her., growing up on a farm in western pennsylvania as the eldest of three siblings, joanne spent much of her young childhood milking cows, gathering eggs, and raising baby sheep with her father. after her father passed away when she was 10 years old, joanne grew up under her mother’s stricter parenting. she missed out on much of teenage social life and decided that she wanted to find freedom by leaving home to attend college., having always been studious, joanne was naturally skilled at math and creative writing. when i ask her why she ended up only studying math in college, she explains that as a junior in high school, “sputnik was sent into orbit. the united states suddenly started giving out scholarships in math and science, and so that was a way for me to go to college.” despite her passion for creative writing, her financial situation pushed her to pursue an undergraduate degree in mathematics at westminster college., joanne went on to earn a master’s degree from temple university and a ph.d. from the university of oklahoma in mathematics, as did her husband, a former college classmate. while completing her dissertation, joanne gave birth to their first daughter., when i ask what she was like as a student, joanne says of herself, “i don’t know where it came from, but i was someone who, in class, had the nerve to ask lots of questions. in fact, when we were in graduate school together, my husband told me that i should stop asking questions, that i was showing off.” she continues, laughing, “i was so amused by that because i thought that i was showing what i didn’t know.”, throughout her life, joanne notes two female mathematicians who served as inspiring role models. “i had a very outstanding woman as a teacher for my junior and senior year [of high school]. she was great at not caring what people thought of her. a number of girls from my high school class continued in math because she gave us the model so that we didn’t have the attitude that women can’t do math.” this juxtaposed the inherent belief that joanne grew up with that boys were simply smarter than girls. later on, in graduate school, joanne was drawn to studying abstract algebra and became close with her advisor’s wife who was an inspiring algebraist., these role models are particularly memorable because of the loneliness, more so than any feeling of being outright unwelcome, that joanne experienced as a woman in math. as her 5×5 syllable-square poem alludes, joanne was often the only woman mathematician in the room. when i tell her about my insecurities in pursuing math as opposed to english or creative writing, two fields with significantly more women, joanne offers me some advice. she tells me that as a woman in math—or broadly in the sciences—it is incredibly encouraging and important to actively search for, reach out to, and become friends with other women in the field. these social connections, these friendships and solidarity, are essential to succeed mentally and academically., joanne describes herself as never having been a deep scholar but rather finding an interest in a broad range of mathematical topics. as a professor at bloomsburg university, instead of completing typical math research, joanne completed scholarly work and created a resource list of over 300 books and articles pertaining to math and the arts. when speaking to me, joanne has an evident passion for teaching and explains that in her classes, she would introduce poems, biographies, and visual art to elicit organic and original discussions among her students relating the two fields., after a very full and satisfying career in mathematical academia, joanne pursued her other passion: creative writing. without the financial burdens that prevented her from studying the humanities and the arts as an undergraduate, joanne earned a master of fine arts in poetry from hunter college., “while i was teaching [math], i started getting involved with the history of women in mathematics. my first important poem, and i don’t think it was the first one i had published, but the first one i felt was really important to me was one about emmy noether called ‘my dance is mathematics.’ in a way, that became a statement for me. learning about her and her isolation helped me find my voice.”, ever since, joanne has continued using mathematics to guide her poetic endeavors. through her blog, poetry with mathematics, joanne collects math-related poems such as square-syllable poems, fibonacci-syllable poems, and proof poems to explore the precision, beauty, and mysteries found in both mathematics and poetry., “it seems to be a compulsion of my mind or my thinking style to connect things,” joanne tells me sincerely. “because i know a lot of math and because i have also studied poetry, i try to connect them, and i do think that it’s important that the sciences and the humanities be linked.”, joanne also encourages me to look into the bridges organization, which she admires in promoting interdisciplinary work in mathematics and artistic disciplines including visual arts, music, poetry, architecture, and culture. an annual international bridges conference brings together mathematicians and artists like joanne to appreciate these intersections., in the future, joanne hopes that more members of the scientific community open up to the humanities and the arts in order to communicate with the rest of the world. she leaves me with this thought: “often, the arts are a way of developing love of beauty and importance of values. science needs to incorporate both beauty and values.”.

North Allegheny wins high school programming contest

Posted on Monday, June 24, 2019

Seventeen teams from five high schools attended this year’s Westminster College High School Programming Contest hosted by the mathematics and computer science department, in conjunction with the admissions office, on Friday, March 15.

Participating schools and team coaches were:

• Blackhawk High School – Coach Kelli Ambler
• Nichols School - Coach Jason DeGroat
• North Allegheny High School - Coach Laura Prosser
• Seneca Valley High School - Coaches Diane Krauland and Chad Robertson
• Wilmington High School – Coach Mary Beth Acker

The teams, consisting of 3 to 4 high school students each, worked for two and a half hours on six computer programming problems. Students submitted solutions and received feedback from the judges electronically, while an electronic score sheet displayed updated results throughout the contest. Scoring for each problem is based on the time since the beginning of the contest as well as the number of incorrect submissions. This year’s winning team was from North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pa.

Westminster faculty member  Dr. John Bonomo, professor of computer science, designed and ran the contest. Bonomo is an active organizer and problem contributor to local, regional and international programming contests and has been head judge for the ACM East Regional Programming Contest since 2000. He has served as head judge and problem contributor for the International Collegiate Programming Competition for the past 14 years, serving in Harbin, China, in 2010; St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2013; Ekaterinburg, Russia, in 2014; Marrakech, Morocco, in 2015; Phuket, Thailand, in 2016; and Beijing, China, in 2018.

Bonomo was assisted by Dr. David Shaffer , associate professor of computer science, and computer science student Dan Jackson. More information about the contest can be found at http://www.westminster.edu/staff/bonomojp/HSContest/hspc.html.

Sample Problem: Flight Turbulence

Fly-By-Night Airlines is a low budget carrier specializing in late night/early morning flights. Things are run a little looser on this airline as was apparent a few nights ago. The flight from Ypsilanti, MI to Walla Walla, WA was completely sold out and all of the passengers were eagerly waiting to board the plane. Sensing their eagerness and looking for a little fun, the flight crew decided to open the gates and let the passengers rush to any seat they wanted, regardless of their seat assignment. The passengers were a little leery of this until the flight crew sweetened the deal with the promise of free peanuts for everyone. After a mad dash through the gates and one trampling injury all of the passengers had found a seat and were eagerly awaiting their peanuts.

Well, almost all. Wouldn't you know it, one passenger wasn't too happy with the seat he ended up with and decided he wanted his pre-assigned seat, peanuts be damned. When he threatened to call the FAA the flight crew relented and let him have his originally assigned seat, displacing the passenger in that seat. Well now, of course, THAT passenger wanted HER original seat. This dislodged another passenger who also wanted his original seat and so on. Eventually one of the dislodged passengers ended up in the seat initially vacated and things quieted down. Needless to say, the price of peanuts skyrocketed on that flight.

Some of the flight crew wanted to try this again on some other flights, but they were concerned if a similar situation might arise. They would like you to write a simulation program that would determine how many people would have to move if one person suddenly insisted on sitting in his/her assigned seat.

Sample Problem: Make America Grade Again

The University of America (UA) is having an integrity issue. It turns out that grades in many of the science classes are not being based on any graded work but on such things as attendance, grooming habits and any snacks the students bring with them. The administration has decided to crack down on this. First, they confiscated all of the snacks. Then they insisted that all grades in science classes must be on graded work in four categories: labs, homeworks, projects and exams. They don't care what percentage of the final grade is assigned to each of these as long as the total percentage assigned is 100%.

The professors at UA have grudgingly agreed to start grading their assignments, but they balk at the task of having to calculate final grades as well. They are asking you to write a program to calculate a student's final grade. They will provide you with the following information: first, the percentage of each of the four categories; second, a list of (grudgingly) graded assignments each of which fits into one of the categories. Using this, they want you to calculate a final integer percentage grade.

For example, suppose the assigned percentages are labs - 20, homeworks - 20, projects - 25 and exams - 35 and the list of graded assignments is the following:

Lab 1: 15/20           Hw 3: 61/65

Hw 1: 65/70            Exam 2: 79/100

Hw 2: 27/35            Lab 2: 17/20

Exam 1: 88/100      Hw 4: 51/60

Proj 1: 50/50           Exam 3: 141/150

To calculate the final grade you first total up the fraction of points achieved in each category. For labs it's 32/40 (there were two assignments each worth 20 and the student got a 15 on the first and a 17 on the second for a total of 32 points); for homeworks it's 204/230; for projects it's 50/50 and for exams it's 308/350. You then multiply each of these fractions by the percentage assigned to each category: 20(32/40) + 20(204/230) + 25(50/50) + 35(308/350) = 89.539. Finally you truncate this to get the final grade of 89. Then you sit back and eat all the snacks you no longer need to bring to class.

First Place Team - North Allegheny High School, Wexford, Pa.

Team Name: “NA4” Coach: Laura Prosser

Second Place Team – North Allegheny High School, Wexford, Pa.

Team Name: “NA1” Coach: Laura Prosser

Third Place Team – North Allegheny High School, Wexford, Pa.

Team Name: “NA2” Coach: Laura Prosser

The Westminster High School Programming Contest is an opportunity for area high school students to show off their programming abilities in a competitive environment.Modeled after the International Collegiate Programming Contest model, teams of students work to solve a set of programming problems using limited responses from judges to guide them.

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Westminster College (Missouri)

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Westminster College (Missouri)’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Pathways to Success: Texas Community College Essay Contest

In recognition of House Bill 8 – which invested nearly $700 million additional dollars into Texas community colleges – the Texas Association of Community Colleges and the Commit Partnership proudly announce an inspiring essay contest to help spotlight and celebrate Texas community college students . Specifically, the contest aims to showcase how Texas community colleges help prepare students for well paying, in-demand jobs.    

This essay contest not only provides an avenue for students to share their unique stories but also serves as an acknowledgment of the transformative power of community colleges in shaping promising careers. We encourage all eligible students to participate and look forward to celebrating the academic and career journeys that make community colleges the cornerstone of success! 

Essay Prompt

Participants are encouraged to provide a detailed account of their personal backgrounds, their educational journey, why they chose to attend community college, and ultimately share how their experience at a community college is shaping their journey toward a fulfilling and financially rewarding career. 

Please provide specifics regarding what programs, initiatives, or supports your community college has provided to help you succeed. (For example: your chosen degree and/or certification pathway, any dual credit coursework you have taken or are taking, any industry apprenticeships/internships/other workforce opportunities accessed through your community college). 

Participants can choose any of following prompts: 

How is your community college experience preparing you... [options:]   

For a meaningful and well-paying career?   

To thrive in the Texas economy?  

To thrive in the 21 st century workforce?  

To achieve a meaningful career with which you can support yourself and your family?  

How did community colleges... [options:]   

Transform your career pathway?  

Transform the trajectory of your career and future?  

Expand the possibilities for your future?  

Change how you thought and felt about your future?  

Submission Guidelines:  

• This includes any Texas high school students participating in dual credit coursework through a Texas community college  
• Essays should be sent to [email protected] . 
• Essay should not exceed 1,250 words. Please note there is no formatting preference for submissions. 
• Limit one submission per student. 
• All essay submissions should be original content, the use of AI is discouraged.
• Selected winners must be willing to share their story for promotional materials. 
• Questions? Email TACC Program Coordinator, Chelsea Laughrun, at [email protected]

Submission deadline: April 1, 2024.

Please note the submission window is CLOSED!  

Prizes and Selection Process  

This essay contest not only provides an avenue for students to share their unique stories but also serves as an acknowledgment of the transformative power of community colleges in shaping promising careers. A team of representatives from TACC and Commit will determine the winning essays and announce them no later than June 3, 2024. Winners of the essay contest will receive a cash prize - amounts listed below.

We encourage all eligible students to participate and look forward to celebrating the academic and career journeys that make community colleges the cornerstone of success! 

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