School to Campus: Writing Contest

School to Campus: Connecting Community Writers sponsors an annual writing contest for students in St. Lawrence County and other Northern New York schools. Winners will receive local gift certificates. The contest submissions are judged by college teachers and students.

Each entry will receive brief written feedback and winners will be invited to engage in a dialogue about their writing at our gathering in November.

Our contest is based on the World in Potsdam Diversity Festival Writing Contest, which we have conducted since 2005. Now that the Festival is canceled, we’re redefining the contest. In 2012, the contest will be open to elementary school students.


Summary of Global Citizen Theme

Imagine that you have been invited by US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice to plan a trip to three foreign countries, all expenses paid. You will be a junior ambassador, whose purpose is to open young American minds to other cultures. You will have to show that your particular trip can prove the truth of Mark Twain's statement that "Travel is fatal to prejudice . . . and narrow-mindedness." Write a letter to Ambassador Rice. In your letter, make a specific proposal for your trip abroad.  View Details

2011 Contest Winners


First place: Damion Taylor, Mrs. Morrison’s class, Norwood-Norfolk

Second place: Jenna Kessner, Mrs. O’Gorman’s class, Brasher Falls

Runners-up: Tyler Hitchman and Sadie Tomko, Mrs. Barnes’ class, Potsdam and Tori Warren, Ms. Lamb’s class, Hermon-DeKalb

Honorable Mention:

  • Mrs. Barnes’ class, Potsdam: Brittney Charleston, Hans Kuno, Elaine Rava and Spencer Neaton
  • Ms. Lamb’s class, Hermon-DeKalb: Courtney White
  • Mrs. O’Gorman’s class, Brasher Falls: Abbigail Taylor

Summary of Global Music Theme

You are an artist who has been inspired by a collection of international music. You have decided that one particular piece will shape a story. Create the story by listening closely to one of the musical selections from the list provided in the contest guidelines.  View Details

2011 Contest Winners


First place: Yoel Ben-Avraham, Mrs. Dumas' class, Potsdam

Second place: Giancarlo Filippi, Ms. Lamb's class, Hermon-DeKalb

Runners-up: Sierra Sicard, Mrs. O'Gorman's class, Brasher Falls; Delaney Ball and Gwyneth Heuser, Mrs. Dumas' class, Potsdam

Honorable Mention:

  • Mrs. Dumas' class, Potsdam: Sam Lee, Emma Visser, Maddie Dreschel and Taylor Rawson
  • Ms. Lamb's class, Hermon-DeKalb: Amber Bogart and Taylor Morrill
  • Mrs. O'Gorman's class, Brasher Falls: Jordan Smith, Abby Alford and Kristan Daniels

Gathering and Awards Ceremony

On Saturday, November 19, from 10 a.m. - Noon, a gathering of judges and winners will be held in the Sheard Literacy Center in Satterlee Hall (with clock tower) on the SUNY Potsdam campus. Friends, family, teachers and all contest participants are welcome. We’ll have congratulatory comments and light refreshments. Contest judges and winners will have a dialogue about the writers' choices and process of producing their writing for the contest. Please bring a one-minute summary of your contest submission. Please RSVP to mitchejk@
potsdam.edu or call 267-2785.