Middle and high school students across Nebraska have until December 15, 2025, to submit their work for the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards. Teen writers in grades 7-12 are invited to enter original pieces for recognition, scholarship opportunities and the chance to advance to the national competition.
Students are invited to submit work in any of the Awards’ writing categories, which include critical and personal essays, journalism, humor, flash fiction, dramatic scripts, novels, poetry, speculative fiction and more. For details and a link to all available writing categories and how to submit writing, go to hastings.edu/writingawards.
Hastings College is managing the Nebraska awards for the seventh consecutive year as an affiliate partner of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The competition recognizes exceptional creative talent and provides a platform for young authors.
“The program is a fantastic avenue to recognize students who share their voice, while simultaneously offering an opportunity for young authors statewide to display their talent, cultivate their creative imagination and refine their literary abilities,” said Dr. Pedro J. Vizoso, professor of Spanish who oversees the initiative for Hastings College. “We eagerly anticipate reviewing this year’s submissions, given the abundance of gifted student authors throughout the state.”
There is a $10 entry fee per submission and a $30 fee for a portfolio submission, although there is a fee waiver process available.
Hastings College and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers provide support to educators, students and parents during the submission process.
Hastings College faculty and students will judge entries based on their original ideas and technical skill, as well as elements of personal voice or style evident in the piece. Entries will be given Honorable Mention, Silver Key or Gold Key distinction, with recipients being notified in January 2026.
From there, the Gold Key works will move on to the national competition with a chance to win medals and other scholarships and prizes. National Medalists’ works are then published in national publications and on the Alliance’s website. Select writings are also published in The Best Teen Writing annual anthology.
Established 103 years ago, the Awards aim to identify middle and high schoolers with exceptional creative talent.
In 2025, nearly 110,000 teens from U.S. territories, Canada and every state entered more than 310,000 works of art and writing for adjudication.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Founded in 1882, the College is dedicated to student success and service to the community. Discover more at hastings.edu.