State 4-H Writing Exhibition

What Is The State 4-H Writing Exhibition?

The State 4-H Writing Exhibition is designed to encourage 4-H members to express their thoughts, feelings, understanding and impressions through written media. Exhibits should compel the observer to feel, think or be inspired by the 4-H member’s interpretation and expression.

This writing exhibition was developed as an initiative through the NAE4-HA Communications and Expressive Arts working group.

Who

Any current 4-H member (age 8 by 6/30/2024 up to 21 as of 9/30/2025) may enter regardless of his/her project enrollment. No project requirements.

Categories

There are four (4) categories for the 2025 Writing Exhibition: Essay, Short Story, Poetry, and Special for 2025 – Celebrating 100 Years of the State Fair.

Registration

Registration will open on Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. and will close on Friday, March 28th, 2025 at 11:55 p.m. All participants must register and electronically submit their entry by completing the State 4-H Writing Exhibition event registration in ZSuite no later than Friday, March 28th, 2025.

Registration will be handled through the 4-H ZSuite Online System.

Register Here (4-H ZSuite)

View All WVU 4-H State Contests

Rules

• Number of Entries – A 4-H member can enter no more than one entry for each of the four (4) categories in 4-H Writing Exhibition.
• Length of Entries – Maximum 1,000 words.
• Original Work – All entries must be written by the 4-H members submitting them. Copying someone else’s work is not appropriate and will not be accepted.
• Format information – Document should be typed using 12-point font, single-spaced, 1” margins,
  8.5” x 11” size page.
• Identification – Each entry must have the following information at the top center: Name, County, Age, and category. This information can be inserted into the document’s header.

Displays & Rewards

• The State 4H Writing Exhibition will be displayed electronically at the State Fair of West Virginia - August 7 – 16, 2025.
• All participants will receive a State Fair ribbon, certificate, and premium ($3.50) for each writing entry.

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