2013 Creative Writing Contest for Fifth Graders

Past winners have used the theme “Why I am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants” to discuss their personal immigration experiences, learn about and share family histories or write about the broader questions of the challenges facing immigrants in a new land. Fifth grade students enter their work in local contests which are sponsored by chapters of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Each chapter forwards the local winning entry to the National Competition where entries are reviewed by a distinguished panel including U.S. senators, award-winning authors and noted journalists. Winning entries are to be printed in the Congressional Record. The winner and two guests receive an all expenses paid trip to The Council’s Annual Benefit Dinner where he/she is honored and reads his/her winningentry aloud. This year’s Annual Benefit will take place June 28, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The winner also receives a travel stipend, engravedplaque, his/her winning entry printed in the Congressional Record and a flagflown over the Capitol in his/her honor. Local and national judges are looking for student writing that is original, thoughtful and speaks to the Council’s mission to educate the public about the benefits of immigration to our society.

The deadline for local submissions varies so check with a local coordinator [1] (local deadlines are usually in February or March).  The national deadline where local contest winner's submissions are judged will be April 12, 2013.

GUIDELINES

Theme: "Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants"

Entrants: 5th graders

Format:

• Any written entry (essay, poem, story, interview, etc.) that reflects the theme

• Entry should be submitted to your contest coordinator (some local contests require electronic submissions, so please check with your coordinator).

Word count: Up to 500 words

Judging criteria: Theme, presentation, creativity and message

CONTACTING YOUR CONTEST COORDINATOR

View our list of local coordinators(COMING SOON), or email [email protected] [2].

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Cover page must include student’s name, address, grade, age, school and telephone number
• Proof of enrollment in the fifth grade—such as report cards, transcripts or letters from the school principal
• A Release Form [3] must be signed by contestant and parent or guardian