WHERE SHOULD
I START?
STORYTELLING OPTIONS
Tell us a NONFICTION story including the classical story elements of setting, character, and action in one of the forms below:
WRITTEN
A written, nonfiction story between 400-600 words, single or double spaced
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Examples: short story, poetry, script, feature article
GRAPHIC STORY
AUDIO/VISUAL
A visual, narrative piece of media between 3 to 5 minutes long. Entrants must provide a brief description of the tools and methods used in their submission statement.
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Examples: video, cartoon, photo story
(6-12 images), podcast, oral storytelling, short film​
A minimum of 6 drawings or artwork —and no more than 12 — that tell a story following the prompt. Words can be incorporated with “bubbles" or another form of your choosing.
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Example: series of drawings in the style of a graphic novel or comic strip
THE GUIDELINES
ELIGIBILITY
Students in grades 7-12 residing in and/or attending school in Rappahannock County. An entry may be developed in or out of school.
CONTEST PERIOD
The contest will begin on Friday, January 24th and entries must be submitted through the online Google Form no later than midnight on Friday, March 21st.​
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In addition to your online entry, if you wish to submit a physical copy of your work, it can be delivered to the Rappahannock News office (309 Jett Street, Washington) during normal office hours with a printable submission form.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All stories should be true and drawn from your own personal experience. Each entry must be accompanied by a submission form.
AI / PLAGIARISM
Entries will be disqualified if they are found to have been generated by artificial intelligence or plagiarized.
Each entry must be the original work of one student. An adult may not alter the creative or substantive integrity of the student’s work.
AWARDS
Winners will receive a cash prize, their work will be published online and in print in the Rappahannock News, and an awards ceremony will be held to honor winners.
7-8th Grade
1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $150
3rd Place: $100
Honorable Mentions: $50
9-10th Grade
1st Place: $300
2nd Place: $225
3rd Place: $150
Honorable Mentions: $70
11-12th Grade
1st Place: $450
2nd Place: $350
3rd Place: $250
Honorable Mentions: $100