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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoor writing contest geared to high school students

The Spokesman-Review high school Outdoor Writing Contest logo

It’s time for high schoolers to begin thinking about fame, fortune and the great outdoors. The Spokesman-Review once again is joining the Outdoor Writers Association of America in sponsoring contests for youth outdoor writing.

The 2015 S-R contest is open to high school students from the newspaper’s circulation area.

Entries must be on the general topic of “outdoors.” This includes subjects such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, boating, nature and conservation. Any literary style – including humor, fiction, letters or poetry – is acceptable.

Other contest rules:

•Contestants must be in grades 9-12 and from the newspaper circulation area in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

•Stories must be original and may be no longer than 1,000 words.

•Include the writer’s name, school, grade, home address and telephone.

•Stories must be typed.

•Must be received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 13.

•One entry per student.

Email entries (preferred) to richl@spokesman.com. Receipt of all email entries will be acknowledged.

Entries also can be mailed or delivered to Youth Outdoor Writing Contest, Sports Department, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201.

Newspaper staff will pick the best entries and award one $50 first-place prize and at least two $30 runner-up prizes.

Winning entries will be published in the Sunday Outdoors section and entered in the national OWAA Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards.

The national contest offers awards of up to $250.

In 29 years, 44 finalists from The S-R contest have won national awards.