Missouri State Poetry Society (MSPS) Youth Contest: The contest is free and open to students in grades 6-12. There will be three winners with cash prizes and seven honorable mentions awarded in each category. First place winners will be published in the MSPS Anthology, Grist. Winning poems and honorable mentions will be submitted to the Manningham Student Poetry Award Contest sponsored by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Deadline: Postmarked by February 15.
Nick Harkins Memorial Scholarship: The Piddington family is sponsoring a scholarship to honor the memory of Nick Harkins, who passed away in October 2013 due to a very rare and deadly brain disease called PML. Nick lived his short life to the fullest, embracing it with gusto, love, and an infectious laugh. He was truly “one of a kind” and stood up proudly for what he believed. Hopefully this scholarship in his memory will remind others that even if you walk a different path than the majority, you are not walking alone. Entries must focus on any theme related to diversity, equity, and/or inclusion. May be descriptive and/or issue-orientated and may be of any genre. Deadline: Postmarked by March 11 or delivered to Willard High School by 4:30 pm on March 18.