Walmart Writing Contest Offers 20 $8,000 Awards to Schools
Walmart just announced a writing contest in which students, parents and teachers can write essays to win $4,000 in school supplies for their designated classroom and another $4,000 in school supplies for their entire school. The call for entries into the contest — dubbed “Write to Change the Classroom” — began July 14 and ends July 24.
In February, a letter from a 14-year-old girl to her congressman resulted in a beautifully re-supplied classroom for eighth-grader Ty’Sheoma Bethea and her classmates. Walmart was watching. Today, the retailer is inviting teachers, parents and students to write their own letters for the opportunity to have their classrooms re-supplied this coming school year. Eager to deliver help to other classrooms, Bethea will participate as a judge for the program along with a panel of educators.
The “Write to Change the Classroom” program is a natural extension of the efforts expressed by Ty’Sheoma Bethea of J.V. Martin Junior High School in South Carolina. With a carefully crafted letter and a lot of determination, her voice was heard as she detailed the dilapidated state of her school’s current learning conditions. As a result, a movement began, a student’s life was changed and a community was united.
Entrants can submit their 500-words-or-less letter at the contest site, outlining their school supply needs (e.g. basic educational materials, classroom furniture, technology, etc.) and explaining how these materials will be used throughout the school year. Supply needs might include everything from new computers, to replacing aging, broken or depleted classroom supplies. All entrants must be at least 18 years of age. Any state-accredited elementary (K-6), junior high (7-8) and senior high (9-12) and traditional school is eligible to receive the supplies.
Essays will be judged on level of need, creativity and the positive impact these supplies will have on the school.
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#1 Rhonda Martin on July 15, 2009:
Thanks for the post. My brother is a teacher at a small school that could use this very much and he is a great writer so I passed on your article to him. Thanks Again~!
#2 Michelle Cox on July 15, 2009:
I’m glad I posted it, too. It’s a great opportunity for schools.