Events Calendar

Children's Creative Exhibition - People and Places of Prince Edward County
An exhibit of the artwork and literary talents of our county's school children

Longwood Center for the Visual Arts Lower Level
April 30-May 15, 2004
Opening Reception: Friday, April 30, 5-7 p.m.

Theme:

People and Places of Prince Edward County: Past, Present and Future

Description and suggestions:

Prince Edward County is a diverse and vibrant community that is rich in history. The county still enjoys of a way of life that is reminiscent of the past, as well as a place with growing businesses and recreational opportunities for people of all ages. With two colleges within its borders, Prince Edward is the cultural center of the Heart of Virginia. Who are the people that have made Prince Edward County the vibrant community that it has become? How do you envision Prince Edward in twenty years? Who will be the future leaders? Through Prince Edwardís 250th Anniversary Childrenís Creative Exhibition, students in Prince Edward can embark on a creative journey with their interpretations of life in the countyís past, present and future.

There are many places of interest in Prince Edward. Consider High Bridge, Prince Edward Mills, the Farmerís Market, Walkerís Diner, the old tobacco warehouses on the Appomattox River, or downtown Farmville. Students can interpret a page right out of Prince Edwardís history book, such as the Civil War battle at Sailor's Creek, or the walkout of R.R. Moton High School in 1951. Prince Edward is a rural community with tobacco, beef and dairy farms that provide not only a source of income, but also a way of life for many families. The Five County Fair, Heart of Virginia Festival and First Fridays are a few of the annual events that bring the community together for fun and enrichment. The Childrenís Creative Exhibition provides an opportunity for students to reflect on and appreciate life in Prince Edward County, as well as share their creative writing with the community.

Creative writing contest guidelines:

1. The creative writing contest is open to all Grade 2 - Grade 12 students in the county.
2. Submissions should adhere to the theme.
3. Writings may be prose or poetry and will be accepted in a variety of formats, which include, but are not limited to letter, essay, short story, and diary entries.
4. Writings should make a central idea clear and include details and elaboration on that idea.
5. Writings should follow the conventions of grammar, usage, spelling, and mechanics, in accordance with SOL writing standards for usage and mechanics.
6. The literary work, whether prose or poetry, should use vivid language, contain precise information, and convey accurately the writerís voice and tone through word choice and imagery in accordance with SOL writing standards for written expression.
7. Writings have no minimum or maximum length requirements; the writer should us his/her best judgment for length based on the above criteria.
8. Submissions must be word processed with a title page that contains the following information: student name, school name, teacher, title of piece, and submission date. High school submissions must be in MLA format. Although students may include an MLA-formatted header on the work itself, student names should not appear anywhere but on the title page.

PRIZES:

Prizes will be awarded in the following three categories: Grades 2-4, Grades 5-8, and Grades 9-12. First Place will receive a cash prize of $100, Second Place, $50, and Third Place, $25. Grade level finalists will receive an additional certificate. Additional certificates will be provided for teachers to award and recognize all the students who participate in the contest. First place winners at each level will have their entry published in the Farmville Herald. First, second, and third place pieces will be enclosed in the Time Capsule that will be buried in a ceremony at the end of the anniversary year celebration.

JUDGING:

Teachers at each grade level within the school submitting the work should select the top five pieces to submit to the Commission for final judging. Judges will include local writers, historians, and educators. Decision of the judges is final.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

April 8, 2004. Please send submissions to: Betty Robb Breen, 250th Anniversary Coordinator, P.O. Box 382, Farmville, Virginia, 23901, or drop them by County Administration, 3rd Floor, Prince Edward County Courthouse. (Phone 392-8837)

CONTACT:

For more creative writing contest information, call Shirley Eanes or Andrea Verschaeve, Prince Edward County Schools, 315-2100.