Want to earn gift cards worth $ 75 or more?!

Submit an original Essay/ Short Story/ Artpiece to: stalphonsala.emag@gmail.com
As simple as that!!

Categories:

1. Kindergarten and Elementary: Story Writing and Artpiece
2. Middle school and High school: Essay, Story Writing and Artpiece
3. Adults: Essay and story writing

Prizes:

First prize: $ 75 gift card, Trophy and Certificate of Appreciation
Second prize: $25, Trophy and Certificate of Appreciation
Third prize: Trophy and Certificate of Appreciation

The first three prize winning items will be published in the L’ALPHA SOUVENIR which is planned for release on Christmas Eve 2023. The awardees will be honored on the same occasion. 4th through 10th prize winning items will be published in L’ALPHA monthly editions.

Deadline: July 30, 2023

Essay and Story Requirements:

1. Your works should be ‘original’ and ‘not published anywhere else’
2. You may write in English or Malayalam
3. You may submit more than one work
4. Maximum Word limit – 750 words
5. The English essay/story should be typed in Times New Roman, 12 size with double spacing
6. The submissions must be shared as google docs
7. No editing shall be allowed after submission (Once the competition results are declared, items winning 1- 10 prizes shall be invited for further editing as needed)
8. The Title of the item must appear on top of the first page and the Author’s Last and First Names must appear at the bottom of the essay
9. A PDF copy of the Essay/Story must be submitted separately without your name on it, to facilitate impartial judgment
10. All references shall appear at the end of the essay

Essay Judgment Criteria:

1. Content (uniqueness, novelty and authenticity of ideas) – 40%
2. Organization (Clarity of Thoughts, Creativity and Consistency) – 40%
3. Mechanics (Punctuation, Spelling, Capitalization and Grammar) – 20%

Total Points – 100

Story Judgment Criteria

1. Characterization ( dialogue, action and description) – 15
2. Plot/storyline ( engaging) – 15
3. Message -15
4. Setting – 15
5. Emotional appeal – 15
6. Dexterity with usage of language -15
7. Mechanics (grammar, punctuation, capitalization) – 10

Total 100 points

Artwork Requirements:

1. Artwork must be original and drawn entirely by hand using color pencils, markers, crayons, ink pens, paint such as watercolor or acrylic, and/or using digital tools on the computer.
2. Digital file size should be less than 10 MB, and may be submitted as JPEG, JPG, PNG, or PDF.
3. Artwork image files must be titled Last Name, First Name_Title of the Art Piece.
4. A copy of the artpiece must be submitted separately without your name on it to facilitate impartial judgment. Please make sure it contains the theme and the description.
5. Artwork must be accompanied by a written description.
6. Artwork shall not contain inappropriate or objectionable material.

Art work Judging Criteria:

1. Concept – 10
2. Uniqueness – 15
3. Artistry (Creativity) – 20
4. Composition (Overall effect) – 20
5. Coloring (Mood created) – 15
6. Technique (employment of skills) -10
7. Description (Your inspiration, technique and meaning) 10

Total Points – 100

General Rules:

1. The Contest is open to only St. Alphonsa Church Community, Los Angeles
2. Once submitted, your items will be the property of L’ALPHA
3. We may reject items deemed inappropriate or low in quality
4. Our decision will be final

Team L’ALPHA