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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. The working group’s goal was to expand the opportunities for youth to develop skills, knowledge and career exploration in the areas of communication and expressive arts through 4-H Youth Development efforts. We continue to want youth to look for ways to observe and interpret their surroundings and then to express their thoughts and/or emotions creatively through written media.

Who

Entries must be written by the 4-H member (age 8 by June 30, 2023 up to 21 as of September 30, 2024) during the current 4-H club year.

Categories

There are three (3) categories for the 2023 4-H Writing Exhibition: Essay, Short Story, and Poetry.

Rules

  • Number of Entries – A 4-H member can enter no more than one entry for each of the three (3) 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 4-H Writing Exhibition will be on display electronically at the State Fair of West Virginia in August.
  • All participants will receive a State Fair ribbon, certificate, and premium ($3.50) for each writing entry.

Registration

Will open on Monday, January 15th, 2024 at 7 a.m. and will close on Friday, March 22nd, 2024 at 11:55 p.m.

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

Register Here (4-H ZSuite)