The Maine Council for English Language Arts ( MCELA )
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Maine Student
​Writing Contest

Returning Spring 2026!
​New Prompt!

CLICK Below for past winners
​2024 WINNERS
2023 WINNERS
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Disclaimer

The decision of the judges' panel is final.Submitting an essay allows MCSTOYA and/or MCELA to share the writing submission or lines from the writing submission through their social media channels without identifying the specific student. Use of student names will only occur if specific permission is granted by the student and parent/guardian.

Questions? 

Email
Heather Webster, MCTSTOYA Board Member: [email protected]
or
Patti Forster, MCELA President: [email protected]

Links to Contest Sponsors:

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Submission Links:

Deadline for submissions extended to May 1, 2026
​

Submission links are now open! 1 submission per student. No specific formatting requirements. Please submit as a PDF. 

PK-2: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeK4JCVErTWqDvyBDlT8ypoa6SqMSfTsrCG5j5B6oTisn_3JA/viewform?usp=dialog

Grades 3-5: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPXskWXvnhkxSeW45wOAKRk1EvjaCD0-awoxZ7Gtf4gcbqnw/viewform?usp=dialog

Grades 6-8: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefHBjMFhMd7XgYZDtpc4G_Z5ECYpQkt_VPEi9L_xeyY2CHXg/viewform?usp=dialog

Grades 9-12: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScg2YURFlJxY1UMU9Aopf4K9MoxZfjNruf419Ckx-v4OJB2CQ/viewform?usp=dialog

Writing Prompt:

Words can help, hurt, inspire, or change things. Write about a time when words made a difference–to you or to others–or explain how words have the power to shape our lives. ​

Contest Rules:

  • Must be a Maine student.
  • Any style of writing (essay, narrative, comic strip, illustration, mixed media collage, poetry)
  • Maximum of 600 words

Scoring Criteria:

Evidence
Convincing, concrete details that go beyond the obvious. Ample and varied examples or a single powerful example clearly demonstrate how words made a difference/had power in the student's or others' lives.
Voice
Author’s passion for raising their voice to share this moment(s) is clear and compelling. The student's word choices create writing that is lively, expressive, and engaging. The author’s voice shines through in the writing.
​Emotional Impact
Interacts with and engages the reader in ways that reveal the author’s own personality, making unique choices to reach the audience. Memorable.​
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  • Home
  • About MCELA
    • About
    • Membership
    • MCELA Executive Board
    • MCELA Meeting Minutes
    • President's Message
    • Position Statements
    • President's Annual Report
  • Member Access
  • Events, Programs, Awards
    • Annual Conference
    • Student Writing Contest >
      • About the Student Writing Contest
      • 2024 Winners
      • 2023 Winners
    • Brassil Award >
      • Nominate an Educator
      • About John & Claudette Brassil
      • Brassil Award Past Winners
    • Teacher of Excellence Award >
      • Teacher of Excellence Past Winners
    • Intellectual Freedom Award
    • Online Workshops
    • In-Person Workshops
    • Online Book Studies
    • MCELA Lens
  • Journal, Newsletter, Blog, IDEA
    • Northwords Journal >
      • Access Northwords pdfs
      • Call for Submissions
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • IDEA
    • Blast from the Past
  • NCTE