Home2024 Youth Initiative Contest

League of Women Voters of San Antonio 2024 Youth Contest

Topic: Voting Decisions: What Matters to YOU?

This year's topic “Voting Decisions: What Matters to YOU?” is especially important in this election year. We believe that voting is a way to express your voice and what is important to you.

Questions should be directed to youthcontest@lwvsa.org.

WHO: High school and college students in Bexar County

WHAT: Scholarship prizes will be awarded for top 3 written (essay, poem, song, rap, etc.) and top 3 art (visual and performance) pieces at each level. Any written submission, whether it is an essay, poem, or song will be judged as a written piece. If an individual writes a song/rap and submits a performance of it, that submission will be judged as art instead of a written submission.

Written submissions are limited to 350 words and there is a 3 minute limit for the video submissions. Visual art can be submitted as a JPEG or a PDF.

Scholarship awards will be given to the top 3 submissions for written word and for art at both high school and college levels. In addition, two high school teachers will receive$250 for encouraging the winning student's submission.

Scholarships are awarded as follows:

1st Place - $500.
2nd Place - $250
3rd Place - $100
(Teachers of high school 1st place winners will receive $250.)

WHEN: Submissions must be submitted by midnight on October 31, 2024 via QR code. Winners will be notified by December 15, 2024.

HOW: Last year written word and art were judged together; however, this year written word and art are judged in separate categories. A panel of 5 judges will score all written submissions and another panel of 5 judges will score art submissions.

A rubric will be used to score each piece in order to remain consistent and fair.

The rubrics are as follows:

Art

Category	Points	Criteria
Clarity of Message	25	Clearly conveys the theme throughout the submission. Effectively communicates intended ideas, feelings, and concepts.
Impact	25	Captures attention and engages the viewer through effective presentation. Chooses an impactful method to communicate that complements the theme.
Creativity and Originality	25	Demonstrates a unique and original approach or concept. Shows creativity in interpretation, expression, or depiction of the subject matter/theme. Reflects an individual imaginative voice or style through visual or performance art.
Craftsmanship and Organization	25	Work integrates elements and principles of design/art to enhance the overall aesthetic of the piece. Shows considerable attention to construction, preparation and presentation. Demonstrates attention to detail and precision. The creation looks carefully planned and blends or transitions seamlessly.

Written

Category	Points	Criteria
Clarity of Message	25	Clearly conveys the theme throughout the submission. Effectively communicates intended ideas, feelings, and concepts.
Impact	25	Captures attention and engages the reader through effective presentation or wording. Chooses an impactful method to communicate that complements the theme.
Creativity and Originality	25	Demonstrates a unique and original approach or concept. Shows creativity in interpretation, expression, or depiction of the subject matter/theme. Reflects an individual imaginative voice or style.
Craftsmanship and Organization	25	Shows considerable attention to construction, preparation, or wording. Demonstrates attention to detail and precision. The creation looks carefully planned and blends or transitions seamlessly.