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Creative Writing Contest

The City of Nappanee turns 150 in 2024! Celebrate by entering the NPL Creative Writing Contest. There are 4 age groups, each with their own prompt inspired by the Sesquicentennial! Write anything for this contest: an essay, a short story, a poem… Just follow the prompt and be creative!

The form will begin accepting responses on 04/01. Entries of any kind will not be accepted until April 1 or after April 21.

Contest Categories:

CategoryUpper ElementaryMiddle SchoolHighschoolAdult
Grade/AgeGrade 3 – 5Grade 6 – 8Grade 9 – 12Age 18+
Prize$150$200$250$350
Maximum Word Countup to 500 wordsup to 750 wordsup to 1,000 wordsup to 150 words
Writing PromptNew Town:
Write about a new town of your own creation.
Home: Write about a favorite memory from home or what home means to you. Small Town: Write about living in a small town.150-Word Challenge: Write about Nappanee in 150 words or less.


Eligibility:

Open to any resident or student (grades 3+) in the Wa-Nee School District.

Deadline:

Entries will be accepted April 1 – April 21. Only original materials may be entered.

Judging:

Entries will be judged anonymously on content, grammar, and creativity using a 15-point rubric.

How to Enter:

Entries can be submitted online, dropped off, or emailed to media@nappaneelibrary.org.

Do not put your name or contact information on any pages of your entry.

Your name, phone number, and email address, along with the title of your entry, go ONLY on the submission form.

One entry per person. A submission form is required.

The form will begin accepting responses on 04/01. Entries of any kind will not be accepted until April 1 or after April 21.

Awards:

1st place winners will receive a cash prize and 2nd place winners will receive a $20 gift card.

Winning entries may be on display at the Library and on the Library’s website and social media.

Sponsors:

Thank you to the following sponsors:

Friends of the Nappanee Public Library, Kountry Wood Products, Stickley Ace, Main Street Roasters, and Bella’s Books & Curiosities



2024 Winners

Upper Elementary 1st Place: Elsie Thompson

2nd Place: Alyssa Protzman

Middle School 1st Place: Taran Gruver

2nd Place: Gracie Carter

High School 1st Place: Ellie Holden

2nd Place: Breanna Dye

Adult 1st Place: Laura Umpleby

2nd Place: Cait Thompson

2023 Winners

Upper Elementary 1st Place: Heather Chupp

2nd Place: Karson Mills

Middle School 1st Place: Breanna Dye

2nd Place: Petra Miller

High School 1st Place: Grace Amstutz

2nd Place: Tatiana M.

Adult 1st Place: Monica Crowder

2nd Place: Robin Sitek

2022 Winners

Upper Elementary 1st Place: Meredith Bontrager

2nd Place: Preston Miller

Middle School 1st Place: Audrey Cramer

2nd Place: Ryne Wells

High School 1st Place: Sophia Vincent

2nd Place: Janysse Barrera-Zelaya

Adult 1st Place: Christy Harrold

2nd Place: Brittney Mills

2021 Winners

Kid’s: Damian Murillo Teen: Lindsay Graber Adult: Rachel Titus