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2016 Lone Star Journalism Writing Contest

Deadline is Nov. 17 for the 2016 Lone Star Journalism Writing Contest co-sponsored by the Texas Press Association and the Interscholastic League Press Conference. Through the annual contest, participating students write general interest features for publication in the student's hometown newspaper. 

Cash prizes are awarded to the winners of the contest. Since UIL Academics does not have an amateur rule, students may participate in this contest as well as participate in UIL journalism (or any academic contest).

Students are encouraged to write and submit several general interest features to their local newspapers. 

For the contest, each student should send his/her entry to the ILPC office for judging. Entries will be broken down into small school (A-3A) and large school (4A-5A) categories. First place in each category will receive a $125 cash prize, second place will receive a $100 cash prize and third place will receive a $75 cash prize. Winners will be notified after the Mid-Winter TPA convention in Frisco.

RULES:

1. Article must be published in the local paper between June 1, 2016 and Nov. 17, 2016. The newspaper’s editor has the right to edit the story or return it to the student for re-write before publishing it.

2. Schools may enter multiple students; however, students may submit only one entry per person.

3. The story can be any length, but must be considered a general interest feature. The story does not have to focus on the school. The feature can be about anything dealing with the community or something that has had some effect on the community. Good feature writing skills are encouraged and expected.

4. A first, second and third place winner in the small school category and a first, second and third place winner in large school category will receive cash prizes as listed above.

5. Deadline for publication is Nov. 17, and all entries must be postmarked to the UIL/ILPC office no later than Thursday, Nov. 17. Email entries are acceptable - jacton@uiltexas.org. Winners will be notified by mail.

6. While there is no entry form, contestants are asked to include the student/writer’s name, school, local newspaper name, date published and a phone number or e-mail where the contestant can be reached with their entries. Also, include the address of the school the student attends.

7. Send entries to: ILPC, c/o Jeanne Acton, P. O. Box 8028, Austin, TX 78713-8028 or email them to jacton@uiltexas.org.

For more information, contact Jeanne Acton at 512.232.4924 or email, jacton@uiltexas.org.