Deadline today for youth art, essay, spoken word competition

The deadline to submit artwork, essays, and poems for the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence’s 2022 Know Your Worth competition is 5pm today, Feb. 28, 2022.

The aim of this competition is to create awareness among youth during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February. All CNMI students in grades 6 to 12 are invited to create original artwork, essays, and spoken word poetry performances that address themes related to teen dating violence and/or healthy relationships in young people.

Each competition category will award cash prizes up to $300 to the first, second, and third place winners of the Middle School division (grades 6-8) and the High School division (grades 9-12).

Artwork that will be accepted include drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photographs. Artworks may be submitted to the NMCADSV office at the MH-I Building in Puerto Rico before the deadline. Students may also check with their school’s main office to find out if they are accepting submissions for this competition.

The essay competition requires each student to address one of two writing prompts (outlined in the Competition Info Sheet) related to teen dating violence in 300-500 words. Essays must be typed and emailed to info@endviolencenmi.org.

Those interested in taking part in the spoken word competition must submit their poems for review to info@endviolencenmi.org by 5pm today, Feb. 28, 2022. To be eligible for awards and prizes, students must schedule with NMCADSV to have their spoken word poetry performances filmed before the online showcase on Saturday, March 5, 2022.

All submissions must include a signed NMCADSV student release form. This form along with the flyer and competition info sheet may be viewed and downloaded at bit.ly/kyw2022.

Recordings of the spoken word poetry performances will be showcased online via Zoom and on NMCADSV’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EndViolenceNMI) at 4pm on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Those watching the livestream may also vote to select the People’s Choice winners for the middle school and high school divisions. Top winners for all three categories will also be announced at this event.

For additional information, visit bit.ly/kyw2022, or contact NMCADSV at 234-3878 or email info@endviolencenmi.org. (PR)