“A Mile in My Shoes” Essay Guidelines for 6th – 12th Graders
Young African-American males are often written about and talked about in the mainstream media but seldom are they given the opportunity to write and share their own stories. The “A Mile in My Shoes” Writing Project was designed to give a voice to young African-American males, to allow them to define themselves, their world, their hopes and their dreams.
African-American male 6th-12th grade students are strongly encouraged to write and submit essays that are based on their life experiences, their future aspirations and their impressions of the world in which they currently live or may have to live in the future.
Essays/stories can be serious or humorous or both, but ALL essays should address one or more of the following categories or topics:
- Masculinity;
- Relationships with the Opposite Sex;
- Painful/Difficult Experiences;
- Interaction with Authority Figures;
- My Community;
- Impact of Friends and Family;
- Spirituality; or
- The Future
There are two competition levels eligible for this writing project: students in grades 6 – 8 (Jr. High Division) and students in grades 9 – 12 (High School Division). Each essay/non-fiction story must be original and unpublished. While handwritten submissions will be accepted, students are encouraged to type their submissions. Twelve-point Times New Roman font is preferred.
Entries must be at least 350 words and not more than 1,000 words. A student may submit up to three essays on different topics but no student will be eligible to win more than one prize. Each essay should begin with a title and EACH essay must be submitted with a fully completed official Entry Form, even if several essays are submitted by the same student. The student's name cannot appear on the essay itself, only on the Entry Form. Please staple the pages of your essay together and paper clip the Entry Form to your essay.
The first place winner in each division will receive $175 and the second place winner in each division will receive $75.
Mail two copies of your essay along with the Entry Form to:
A Mile in My Shoes Writing Project
c/o Cleo Scott Brown, Contest Chair
P.O. Box 415
Goose Creek, SC 29445
E-mail submissions will not be accepted.
Entries must be postmarked on or before April 16, 2011. Entries postmarked after April 16th will not be considered. If you wish acknowledgement of receipt of your essay, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard with your submission.
A panel of judges will select winners by May 16th and the winners will be notified via the method indicated on the application. Winners’ names, along with their school, city, and state will also be posted online at www.cleoscottbrown.com.
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