HOW TO ENTER

1. Create an original work, either writing or a piece of art (see page 2 of this packet, "ENTRY RULES", for more information on what can be created).

2. Submit your work, including your registration form, in person to your local JBSA Library between September 5 - October 3 2023. NOTE: Your work becomes the property of the JBSA Libraries for a period of 90 days, and can be picked up by the week of October 16. On October 20, all entries that haven't been picked up will be discarded or given away.

3. Voting by a panel of impartial judges commences October 9 - 13. Winner announced Friday, October 13. There will be two winners: the grand prize winner, and the runner-up. The grand prize winner will win the signed football. The runner-up will win a gift basket.

4. Questions about the contest, including questions on the prompt, may be directed to jbsarandolphlibraries@gmail.com or your local JBSA Library.

5. Only one entry per child permitted. All of the children aged 5-17 in a nuclear family may submit an entry jointly. Children who enter jointly with their siblings/family members may not also submit an individual entry.

6. TO ENTER: Winner must be stationed/permanent party at JBSA (if active duty or civilian), or retired, have a valid DOD ID with base access, and live within commuting distance. The grand prize and the runner up prize must be picked up at your JBSA Randolph Library. The prizes will not be mailed or sent to other locations.

7. The JBSA Libraries will accept submissions September 5 - October 3 2023.

WHO CAN ENTER

The contest is open to all military-affiliated children ages 5-17, whose parents/guardians are stationed/permanent party at JBSA (if active duty or civilian), or retired, have a valid DOD ID with base access, and live within commuting distance.

ENTRY RULES:

You have the option of either writing in response to the prompt, or creating a piece of art. All entries must include the Registration Form (click image above to view/print registration form).. For the rules, see below:

IF YOU DECIDE TO WRITE:

• Your entry can be an essay, a short story, a series of poems, or another writing medium, and must answer all parts of the creative prompt (click image above to view prompt).

  • If you're writing a story or essay: Minimum of 800 words (no maximum)

  • If you're writing poetry: Minimum of 8 poems (no maximum)

• The works must be your own, and not copied from the internet or other source.

• Your entry must be typed and double spaced, 12 point font.

• Your entry must include the attached permission slip.

• Only one entry per child permitted. All children in a family may create one entry together and submit it as a group. Children who submit an entry as a family may not also submit entries individually.

IF YOU DECIDE TO CREATE ART:

• Your entry can be a drawing or series of drawings, a painting or series of paintings, a graphic novel panel set, a sculpture, a digital design, or other creative medium.

• The work must answer all parts of the creative prompt (found on page 3). Libraries can and will accept written descriptions of the art on behalf of the artist to explain how the art piece fulfills the prompt of no less than 300 words.

• The works must be your own, and not copied/printed from the internet or other source.

• Your entry must include the attached permission slip.

• Only one entry per child permitted. All children in a family may create one entry together and submit it as a group. Children who submit an entry as a family may not also submit entries individually.

HOW WORKS WILL BE JUDGED:

• All entries submitted to the contest will be judged by a panel of no fewer than 3 judges and no more than 6 judges. Judging will commence October 9 - 13, 2023.

• The judging criteria and percentages shall be scored and graded using a rubric based on the following criteria:

  • 40% Creativity and originality

  • 40% How well the prompt is answered

  • 20% Quality and originality

All decisions of the judges are final and binding and not subject to appeal or review. The entry with the highest score from among all eligible entries received will be deemed the winner. In the event of a tie, the entry with the highest score in the creativity and originality category from among all tying entries will be deemed the winner from among all tying entries. Winner announced Friday, October 20.