Who
Eligible entrants
High school students during the 2026–27 school year and young adults ages 18–29 before the October 31, 2026 deadline are invited to participate.
High school students must be Bexar County residents. Young adults may currently live in Bexar County to attend school, or be permanent Bexar County residents attending college outside the county and/or state.
What
Written word and art
Scholarship/monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three written entries (essay, poem, song, rap, etc.) and the top three art entries (visual and performance) at each level.
Essays, poems, and songs are judged as written texts. An oral performance of these works will be judged in the art/performance category.
Scholarships and awards
Monetary awards will be given to the top three written-word and art submissions at both the high school and young-adult levels.
- 1st place$500
- 2nd place$250
- 3rd place$100
In addition, two teachers of high school first-place winners will each receive $250 for encouraging the winning student’s submission.
Important dates
Submission deadline
Winner notification
How entries are judged
Written word and art are judged in separate categories. All submissions must be the entrant’s original work and must not be AI generated. A rubric will be used to score each piece consistently and fairly.
Scoring rubrics
Art — 100 points total
| 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 & 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.
- Is an original work of the entrant and not AI generated.
|
| Craftsmanship & Organization |
25 |
- 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.
- Looks carefully planned and blends or transitions seamlessly.
|
Written — 100 points total
| 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 & 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.
- Is an original work of the entrant and not AI generated.
|
| Craftsmanship & Organization |
25 |
- Shows considerable attention to construction, preparation, or wording.
- Demonstrates attention to detail and precision.
- Looks carefully planned and blends or transitions seamlessly.
|