Oct. 18, 2018
WINNIPEG – B’nai Brith Canada is proud to launch an exciting educational initiative that promotes diversity and teaches the valuable lessons of inclusion and tolerance to both elementary and high school students.
The Diverse Minds Writing Competition offers an opportunity for Grade 9 – 12 students to reflect about these values and create stories for children on how they can improve their communities.
The inaugural competition will launch this Fall in Manitoba, but will soon take place across Canada.
On this occasion, we invite ALL Manitoba high school students to take part in this exciting challenge and become an active human-rights role model!
GENERAL GUIDELINES
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The Diverse Minds Writing Competition is open to ALL Grade 9 – 12 high school students within the province of Manitoba.
Students can apply individually or in groups of two.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Students interested in participating will write and illustrate children’s books for elementary school students and present original stories of diversity, tolerance and inclusion. Stories must be submitted before the deadline. The stories should promote positive messages and be written and illustrated specifically for young kids (Grade K- 5).
Story ideas will depend on each individual student’s imagination. There are a wide range of issues that could be explored, such as bullying, equal rights, accepting those who are different from you, social and gender issues, religious and cultural tolerance, etc.
Submissions must be a minimum of 16 pages and no longer than 24 pages in total, and include a complete story and full-colour illustrations. Each page should contain text and artwork that delivers the intended message.
A cover letter must be included with submissions indicating:
- Full name of the student author(s) and/or illustrator(s)
- Address, email, phone number of the author(s)
- Name of high school and address
- Full name and contact information of the student’s teacher or supervisor
- A short bio of the student author(s) – no longer than 400 words
WHERE TO SEND:
Submissions can be sent via mail, courier or by email.
B’nai Brith Canada – Diverse Minds Creative Writing Competition
C403 123 Doncaster St.Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 2B2
To send by email: [email protected]
All participants will receive emails confirming their submissions. If you haven’t received a confirmation email after a week of submitting your story, please contact us.
WHEN:
Deadline for ALL submissions is March 15, 2019
CHECKLIST:
- Children’s book
- Cover letter
PRIZES:
First Place will receive a cash reward of $3,000 PLUS get their book published!
Second Place will receive a cash reward of $1,500.
Third Place will receive a cash reward of $500.
Teacher Prize: $500 for the teacher who supervises the first-place winner book.
School Prize: $500 for the school of the first-place winning student.
All winners will be notified by May-June 2019. Make sure to follow B’nai Brith Canada on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
Once submitted, all entries will be the property of B’nai B’rith Canada. B’nai B’rith retains all rights to the content and distribution of the books.
The winning book will be professionally published and copies will be donated to public libraries, elementary schools and non-profit organizations within the local community. B’nai B’rith retains all rights to the published books.
JUDGING PANEL:
Several community leaders representing Manitoba will form our Judging Panel including political officials, educators, artists, writers and local celebrities.
The Judging Panel will choose the first, second and third-place winners from the group of finalists.
Judging will be based on the following criteria: originality, creativity, artistic and writing skill, clarity of the message, and adequacy of the story to the audience.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
We welcome new sponsors to participate and get involved in this unique educational initiative. If you are interested in sponsoring the Diverse Minds Creative Writing Competition, please feel free to contact us.
CONTACT US:
For any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
