The Pierce County Library System is asking teenagers throughout county to show their creative talents in the Teen Writing & Art Contest – Our Own Expressions, which runs through Feb. 24.
Teenagers in grades seven through 12 who live in or attend school in Pierce County may enter the contest, individually or as a team, in one or all four categories: poetry, short story, photography or drawing.
Participation is free. Teens can find entry forms and enter the contest at any library in the system or at www.piercecountylibrary.org. Teenagers also may submit entries to: Pierce County Library System, 3005 112th St. E, Tacoma, WA 98446.
Judges will review writing entries on the basis of originality, style, general presentation, grammar, spelling and evidence of skill appropriate for the writer’s age.
They will review art entries on the basis of composition, evidence of skill commensurate with the age of the artist, creativity and effective use of media.
The library system will publish all of this year’s winning contest entries and distribute them throughout the system’s libraries and to the winning students’ schools.
Pierce County Library Foundation will award cash prizes in three age groups: seventh and eighth grades, ninth and 10th grades, and 11th and 12th grades, and in the four categories.
Contest winners will feature their work in an awards ceremony at Pacific Lutheran University on May 30. The News Tribune, Pacific Lutheran University and Print NW help fund the contest.

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