2017 Be the Change Creative Writing Contest

In collaboration with the “Be the Change” National Day of Service, inspired by the life of Mahatma Gandhi and held on September 30th, 2017, The Indian American Coalition of Texas (IACT) is sponsoring a creative writing contest. This year’s prompt asks a timely and important question that can be answered with poems, essays, stories or any other form of creative writing:

What does the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi mean to you?

Eligible Participants: All pre-college students in the Austin, Round Rock, and surrounding areas are invited to enter. Cash prizes will be awarded! First place winners will receive $500 and second place winners will receive $250!

The contest will be divided into three age categories:

1. Students 15-18 2. Students 10-14 3. Students 9 and under

Format and Dates: Submissions may include essays, poems, stories and other forms of creative writing that address the question above. Entries may be fiction or non-fiction. Submissions must be no more than 1,500 words. Entries should be submitted electronically, via email to sameer.iact@gmail.com no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday September 27th, 2017.

Entries should include a cover page that lists the following:

• Student’s name and age at time of submission
• School presently attended
• Title of submission
• Email address and/or phone number

Awards: IACT will award a first and second place winner in each age category, for a total of six (6) winners. Submissions will be judged on creativity and content. A winning entry will display both creativity and responsiveness to the prompt. Judgment decisions are at the sole discretion of the IACT Award Committee.

Awards will be presented at the Be The Change Kickoff Event at Austin City Hall on Saturday September 30th , 2017. Winners will be notified in advance via email or phone.

sponsored by the Indian American Coalition of Texas

questions? email sameer.iact@gmail.com or call Sameer Shah @ 512-705- 5190