TOGA Youth Writing
Contest: "Consider the Oyster"
For Virginia Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)
TOGA Writing Contest Changed! The Contest is Now Open to High School Students Instead of Middle Schoolers
For Virginia High School Students
Virginia Student Writers Encouraged to Enter Statewide
Youth Writing Contest
Tidewater Oyster Gardeners High School Writing Contest General Competition Guidelines
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1. Open to all Virginia High School students, including homeschooled students.
2. The theme of the competition is “Consider the Oyster.” Writers will create their own title for the article--other than using the words of the theme listed above. Student’s name, grade/school, and home town must be printed in three lines at the top right hand corner on each page of the entry.
3. Length: a firm 500-750 words, which must be typed, double-spaced.
4. Electronic submissions are encouraged; send as a Microsoft Word or plain text attachment to the competition coordinator listed below.
5. Send essays with the completed submission form.
6. By submitting the article to the competition, permission is granted by the parent(s) and student for TOGA to post or publish the article in publications or web sites as deemed appropriate by the TOGA Competition Judges, with compensation being limited to writer credit to the student author in order to reward and recognize writing excellence, and to promote the competition throughout the year.
7. Submissions not meeting the competition guidelines and criteria will be disqualified.
8. Submission deadline: December 15.
9. Send the submission form and essay via email (preferred) to: lewistmn@msn.com
Subject: High School Writing Competition Submission
Tidewater Oyster Gardeners High School Writing Contest
If you havequestions, please call 804-693-2687.
Good Luck!
Optionally you can send article as specified via postal mail to:
Terry Lewis
High School Writing Competition
11339 Water View Place
Gloucester, VA 23061
After 12 very successful Middle School Essay competitions sponsored by TOGA, the contest for 2025 is changing to a High School Essay Contest. The change is being made after suggestions that many High School students are looking for ways to make money to further their education after High School, as well as ways to build their resumes. The TOGA Board considered these valuable suggestions and voted to make the change. Most of the other rules and judging criteria will remain the same, as will the deadline of December 15. Prize money also remains the same, at $500, $250 and $100 for first, second and third places respectively, as well as $200 to the school for the first-place submission. Additionally, TOGA is proud to announce that funding for the prizes will be paid from a generous grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (cbtrust.org)
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