CONTESTS

Submit to our range of student contests for a chance to win monetary prizes!

July 1st - July 31st, 2022

Essay Contest

Calling all students from the U.S. and territories! Inspired by the reflective spirit of July 4th and Independence Day, student-led initiative HiStory Retold is inviting young people this month to craft a well-structured essay that responds to one of the following prompts:

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What does it mean to be an American?

What does the American Dream mean to you? 

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Two winners will be chosen from the submission pool; the 1st place winner will receive $150, an invitation to join HiStory Retold’s national Leadership Board, and professional development/publishing opportunities, while the 2nd place winner will receive $50 and an invitation to join HiStory Retold’s Leadership Board.

 

Successful essays will grapple with chosen essay prompts from a personal lens, tying in frameworks of identity, personal narrative, and overall reflection. Anecdotal evidence is encouraged. As an organization committed to storytelling, we encourage students to tell a story with their piece while still deftly navigating the chosen prompt.

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GUIDELINES:

  • Essays must be between 500 and 1,000 words

  • Essays must either address one of the two contest prompts or synthesize ideas from both

  • Participants must submit their pieces between July 1st and July 31st for consideration

  • Reminder: All submitted essays are eligible for publication on HiStory Retold’s website. By submitting your essay, you recognize and agree that your piece can be published on HiStory Retold’s media sites.


HOW TO SUBMIT:

  • Email your finished piece in GoogleDoc, Word Doc, or PDF format to historyretoldproject@gmail.com with subject line “Essay Contest Submission” by July 31st, midnight Central Standard Time.

  • In the body of your email, include a brief bio that states your name, age, and some brief tidbits about who you are. This will be shared with readers who engage with your essay.

  • Attach a headshot to your email.

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Identity Contest

September 1st - September 30th, 2021

Calling all writers, poets, artists, and young creatives! HiStory Retold is a group of students aiming to diversify national curriculum, and we need your help. We call on you to share a piece using any creative medium - writing, visual, song, etc. - that in some way communicates and/or reflects your self-perception of your identity. This prompt is purposefully vague to allow for utmost creativity. The first place winner will receive $100 and an offer for a position on HiStory Retold's National Student Leadership Board. 

Email your submission directly to historyretoldproject@gmail.com by September 30th, midnight Central time. 

  • Make the subject line of your email "Identity Contest Submission"

  • Attach your creative piece. Please put it in PDF, PNG, or JPEG form. If your piece is an audio file or video, you may submit it in original form.

  • In your email, you must provide your NAME, AGE, and a short blurb of no more than 50 words describing yourself.

  • Winners will be announced by October 15th and winners will be compensated by no later than October 24th.

  • By submitting, participants give HiStory Retold the right to publish their piece on our website and share it with partner schools.