Cash & Scholarships for Young Writers & Performers

Monday, May 5, 2025

James Weldon Johnson Young Writers Festival - inspired by Sharon Coon

# $6,400 in Cash Awards and Scholarships Available

Are you a student or parent of a student who loves writing poetry or plays? Don't miss the opportunity to win cash and scholarships and to show off those skills in the Friends of Brentwood Library's fourth annual James Weldon Johnson Young Writer's Festival!

To participate in the festival and for a chance at a prize or scholarship, youth in grades 3-12 are asked to submit a poem or dramatic monologue by June 2, 2025, on the theme "Lift Every Voice" or a subject of your choosing. There is no cost to enter or to participate in the Festival. Submissions must be dropped off at the Brentwood Branch Library. Let your voice be heard and your story be seen!

For more information, visit www.friendsofbrentwoodlibrary.com. 

The multi-day festival (June 11-14, 2025) will feature workshops on creative writing, art illustration, poetry, and performance in the Conference Center at the Main Library. The week wraps up on Saturday, June 14, with awards and presentations by students.

 

# Prizes By Age Group


Poetry Prizes

$600 for Elementary Division (EM) Grades 3-5
1st Place $300, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $100

$900 for Middle High (MH) Division Grades 6-8
1st Place $400, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $200

$1200 for Senior High (SH) Division Grades 9-12
1st Place $500, 2nd Place $400, 3rd Place $300

 

Monologue Prizes

$600 for Elementary Division (EM) Grades 3-5
1st Place $300, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $100

$900 for Middle High (MH) Division Grades 6-8
1st Place $400, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $200

$1200 for Senior High (SH) Division Grades 9-12
1st Place $500, 2nd Place $400, 3rd Place $300

 

On Site Book Cover Art Contest

$150 for Elementary Division (EM) Grades 3-5 
1st Place $75, 2nd Place $50, 3rd Place $25

$225 for Middle High Division (MH) Grades 6-8 
1st Place $100, 2nd Place $75, 3rd Place $50

$325 for Senior High Division (SH) Grades 9-12 
1st Place $150, 2nd Place $100, 3rd Place $75

 

Other Prizes

TBA

 

# Important Dates & Information


Submission Deadline

For a chance at a prize or scholarship, youth in grades 3-12 must submit a poem or dramatic monologue by June 2, 2025. Submissions for the contest are to be dropped off at:

Brentwood Branch Library 
3725 N. Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 

Emailed poetry submissions are subject to the same deadline date and time. For more questions, email jwjlifteveryvoice@gmail.com

For more information, please attend:

Student/Parent Orientation
6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2
Brentwood Branch Library


Young Writer's Festival (Dates and Location): 

Wednesday - Saturday, June 11-14, 2025  
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Jacksonville Public Library - Main Library (Conference Center) 
303 N. Laura St., Jacksonville, FL 32202

 

# Contest Rules


Students Participation Requirements

Students must complete all activities to receive cash and scholarship awards. Student not meeting the attendance and participation in program activities will be automatically disqualified from receiving cash awards and scholarship prizes.

  1. Approved application
  2. Submit Original Poetry and Dramatic Monologue
  3. Keep a written journal of original poetry
  4. Attend Career Day
  5. Attend Young Authors Awards Ceremony
  6. Attend the Three-Day Workshop Series with professional writers and visual and performing artists.
  7. Display good behavior

# Poetry Rules

  1. The poem must be written by the student and can be on any subject he/she chooses.
  2. The poem must be at least 10 lines, but not more than 20 lines. It can be rhymed or free verse but must conform to acceptable standards of poetry.
  3. The poem must have a title or the word Untitled in the space where a specific title would be.
  4. It must be typewritten, double-spaced on regular 8 1/2" by 11” bond paper, and authenticated for originality by a parent or teacher.
  5. Student's full name, parent name, address, phone number, email address, school name, and grade must be placed at the bottom of each page for identification.
  6. The student is limited to submitting one poem.

Poetry Judging Criteria

1. Creative Ideas 20
2. Length (10 lines minimum, 25 lines maximum) 20
3. Subject Appropriateness/Knowledge 15
4. Language (Correct words/phrases) 15
5. Readability (Rhythm and flow of ideas) 15
6. Style (That intangible quality of individuality) 15
Total Points 100

# Dramatic Monologue Rules

  1. The dramatic monologue must be written by and later performed by the student on the theme (Lift Every Voice), James Weldon Johnson or the life and contribution of a significant African American of the past or present. The tone may be serious or humorous.
  2. In performance, the monologue must be at least three (3) minutes or no more and five (5) minutes.
  3. The dramatic monologue must conform to good language usage (no derogatory language or profanity).
  4. The dramatic monologue must have a title or the word "Untitled" in the space where a specific title would be.
  5. It must be based on facts; it must include more than three (3) lines that are quoted from any other speaker or writer.
  6. In written form, it must be typewritten, double-spaced on 8 ½" by 11" bond paper, and authenticated for originality by a teacher, and parent/guardian.
  7. Student's full name, parent name, address, phone number, email address, school name, and grade must be placed at the bottom of each page for identification.
  8. For monologue submissions, entry will also require a performance video of the work.
  9. The student is limited to submitting one dramatic monologue.

Judging Monologue Criteria

1. Creative Ideas 20
2. Length (3 to 5 Minutes) 20
3. Subject 15
4. Language Usage 15
5. Delivery 20
6. Style 10
Total Points 100

# James Weldon Johnson Young Writers Festival

# Mission Statement

To use poetry, visual, and performing arts as a vehicle to impact youth academic engagement and performance, social-emotional development, and to develop writing and analytical skills giving children and youth a greater understanding of themselves and others.

Goals: Educate Youth, Young Authors Awards Ceremony, Family Fun Community Celebratory Activities, Author’s Book Exhibit, and Career Day.

This program is the brainchild of Matriarch Sharon Coon, Founder of The Friends of Brentwood Public Library, Inc.