Tabatha A. Yeatts, PTSA Cultural Arts coordinator for Cabin John Middle School in Potomac, MD, and a writer herself, has asked me to judge entries in the literature category for the Reflections program sponsored by the National Parent Teacher Association. Since my main goal in this blog is to introduce young people to writing by showing them the work a writer does, I of course said yes. Each young person must submit his or her original work, fiction or nonfiction, on the theme of “Wow!” by mid-November. I’ll pick the top four, who will compete at the county level. The winners then go on to the state level, which leads to the national level.
The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program in six areas, including literature, but, as the web site points out, the program isn’t a contest so much as a way to encourage “creativity and exploration.”
Cabin John MS students -- Get those fingers and brains moving. WOW! I hope to read some awesome entries.
This is a great opportunity for students K-12 across the country whose schools are participating. More information at http://www.capta.org/sections/programs/reflections.cfm
3 comments:
Mary, I've judged several of these contests, and it's not easy. Each entry is very different from the others and sometimes it's the younger entries that have the most imagination and creativity. (and sometimes it's a parent -- it's hard to tell.) (and sometimes that parent is right there in the room while you are judging, and reacts defensively at the slightest criticism of their golden child's work.)
You are so much more tactful than I am, so I'm sure you will be able to handle such things.
One school had NO writing samples to judge, so I got to judge the art. Boy was I thrilled when my choice (the head of the school's program agreed with my choice) made it to the state level !
-wendieO
Thanks for your comments, Wendie. I will be evaluating all entries electronically! I do not think I could handle the pressure of reading entries with people looking over my shoulder, as you did.
And I sincerely hope parents will give their middle school children the opportunity to be successful on their own. The kids are the losers in the long run, if they don't learn to write and, more important, if they learn unethical methods and also learn to fall back on adults rather than act responsibility.
Hmm. That's not too tactful, is it?
Email me! I sent you a message but it has been delayed and I'm not sure you're going to get it!
Tabatha
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