Submissions are due by March 18th and will be judged by a panel of published local authors. Prizes will be awarded for both poetry and prose. First prize in each category is $100, with $75 for second prize and $50 for third.
Following the selection process, the community is invited to an Awards Night where we will celebrate prize winners’ success and hear students read their works, as well as hear acclaimed local authors read published works. The Awards Night will take place on Tuesday, April 14th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Ramada Waukegan/Gurnee, 200 N. Green Bay Road, Waukegan, IL 60685.
Hope and change were two powerful messages in the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. After last year’s theme of “change” garnered over 200 inspired entries, this year, students are asked to wax poetic on the theme of “hope.”
“Hope is the spark that ignites passion. Without hope creativity vanquishes. This year, these students will share their creativity demonstrating how hope ignites their passions,” said international political consultant Kevin Lampe, who will emcee the Awards Night. Lampe has worked with such luminaries as Hotel Rwanda’s Paul Rusesabagina, President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, actor Erik Estrada and civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
Past competitions have been moving for both the audience and the high school students who participate. “It was beautiful. It gave me hope,” said audience member Judith Bernstein about the 2013 event.
To submit original works of poetry or prose and to read the submission guidelines, visit www.tenthdems.org/poetry or email [email protected]. To read about last year’s competition, visit http://www.tenthdems.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/201501LE.pdf.
Tenth Dems is a grassroots organization that supports Democratic causes and candidates. The group believes that politics should be about making our communities better places to live. The Poetry and Prose Contest is just one part of that mission. “As Democrats, we highly value the arts,” said Tenth Dems leader Lauren Beth Gash. “I cannot stress enough the importance of giving young people the opportunity for creative expression.”
To register for the event, go to www.tenthdems.org/events or RSVP by calling (847) 266-VOTE (8683) or by emailing [email protected]. If you call or write, please give your contact information (name, address, phone, email).
For more information about Tenth Dems Community Connection or to volunteer, email [email protected], call (847) 266-VOTE (8683) or visit www.tenthdems.org.
