Ready to win a free ice cream party? Well get excited, because everyone’s favorite ice cream shop is once again hosting the 8th annual writing contest in conjunction with Live Oak Public Libraries!
“Mary and I created this contest eight years ago to encourage local students to explore different types of writing,” said Stratton Leopold, owner of Leopold’s Ice Cream. “Being able to communicate through writing is so important as kids move forward in their lives. Partnering with Live Oak Public Libraries made perfect sense. They, like Leopold’s Ice Cream, are committed to building and enhancing our communities through education.”
Leopold’s Ice Cream Creative Writing Challenge kicked off on Jan. 19 and runs through until Feb. 9. There are four age groups, Kindergarten through 2nd grade, 3rd grade through 5th grade, 6th grade through 8th grade, and high school. One finalist from each group will win a Leopold’s Ice Cream party for their entire classroom! The challenge is open to all students, whether public, private or home schooled. Each year, a theme is announced and the participants must write a poem about the theme. The poem is judged on creativity. This year’s theme is “Libraries Rock!”
Each entry must include:
- Student’s name
- Teacher’s name
- Home address
- Age
- School
- Grade
- An email address
The challenge is open to any students of Chatham, Effingham, or Liberty County. Typed entries are recommended, and no poem should be longer than 20 lines. Poems can be submitted by email to: liveoakplga@liveoakpl.org or can be printed and delivered to any Live Oak Public Libraries branch or a Leopold’s Ice Cream shop (we recommend stopping by Leopold’s to turn in the poem in person so you can grab a scoop – or two – of one of their famous ice cream flavors). Winners will be announced on Feb. 23.
“In 2016 we had around 100 entries submitted to the Creative Writing Challenge,” Stratton said. “Last year, that number was up to a little over 700 poems. I am constantly amazed at the talent of the young poets who enter the Challenge. We can’t wait to read all of the 2018 entries and hope to have even more poems than last year’s record breaking numbers!”
Stratton and his wife Mary are longtime advocates of literacy and the arts. Under the influence of these two, Leopold’s became known just as much for their community involvement as they have for their delicious ice cream. They are particularly involved with the youth, and host annual events like, “The I Pledge Project” in addition to the creative writing challenge.
For more contest rules and information, visit leopoldsicecream.com or liveoakpl.org.
