Outdoor Writers Association of America - The Voice of the Outdoors

Youth Writing Contest

The 2008 Norm Strung Youth Writing Contest is sponsored by Safari Club International, Delta Waterfowl & Izaak Walton League of America

2007 Norm Stung Youth Writing Competition Winners
- Sponsored by Delta Waterfowl & Izaak Walton League of America

The Norm Strung Youth Writing Committee recently announced the winners of the 2007 Norm Strung Youth Writing Competition, sponsored by OWAA and Delta Waterfowl. The contest honors outstanding writing by junior high and high school students. Last year’s total payout was $1,000.

The contest has categories for poetry and prose in two divisions: junior (grades 6-8) and senior (grades 9-12). Entries must be outdoors oriented and already have been published in a newsletter, newspaper, magazine, collection, etc. Cash awards and certificates are granted for both divisions.

Senior Prose

First Place: Becoming a centurion by David Grunzweig (Spokane, WA)
Second Place: Trapping an alpha by Tyler Purol (Fredonia, NY)
Third Place: Same fate by Mike Sink (Lakeville, MN)

Senior Poetry

First Place: Second wind by Tucker Seitz (Liberty Lake, WA)
Second Place: The little match that could by Mark Wood (Minneapolis, MN)

Junior Prose

First Place: Big fish by Hannah Charland (Plattsburgh, NY)
Second Place: The hunting heritage by Jesse Martin (Coweta, OK)
Third Place: Second-chance hunt by Nick Motzko (Northfield, MN)

Junior Poetry

First Place: I can and I will…by Hannah Mikkalson (Mantorville, MN)
Second Place: A day afield by Emily Charland (Plattsburgh, NY)

Congratulations to the 2007 winners!

View the 2006 Winners ...

2008 Contest Rules

The work must have been published in a newsletter, newspaper, magazine, literary collection, etc. during 2007. The publication can be school or club related, or commercial.

At the time the article was published or accepted for publication, the author must have been a student in grades 6-8 to enter the junior division; grades 9-12 (including prep school) to enter the senior division.

The topic must be outdoor oriented (hiking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, nature, ecology, canoeing, etc.). Any prose or poetic form is acceptable.

Entrants must submit one original published copy (tear sheet) of the entry. The tear sheets must contain the publication name and date. A cover sheet needs to include the entrant’s address and grade in school at the time of publication. If these criteria are not met, the entry will be disqualified.

Students may enter as many pieces of writing as they wish; however, each student will be limited to one prize per annual contest.

Deadline for receiving entries is March 15, 2008. Send entries to OWAA Headquarters, 121 Hickory St., Ste. 1, Missoula, MT 59801. Mark the lower left hand side of the envelope with the division for which the entry is intended (“Junior” or “Senior”), and for the category (“Prose” or “Poetry”).

OWAA will announce the winners at its annual conference. OWAA reserves the right to reprint the winning articles in its monthly publication.