Rural Voices Youth Contest

• Entry should be reflective of the contest theme. See theme description and reflection questions above.
• Entry must be at least 1,000 words and may be fiction or non-fiction. Entries that do not meet minimum length requirements will not be considered. Word counts will be checked. The title or any works cited pages (if used) are NOT to be included in the word count.
• Entry should be double spaced and 12-point font with one-inch margins.
• Entry must be the student's original work.
• Written entries should be saved as a pdf file and submitted electronically to ruralvoices@ncrpc.org. The student’s name should not appear on the entry, but should be used in the file name of the document. (For example, firstnamelastnameruralvoices.pdf).
• Complete and submit contest registration form by the deadline (February 3, 2025). Once the form is downloaded, it is a fillable pdf. Please note that a signature is required on the registration form. You may either scan and email the completed form with signature or print and mail. See instructions on the form.

• Entry should be reflective of the contest theme. See theme description and reflection questions above.
• Video must be at least three (3) minutes and must not exceed five (5) minutes in length.
• All work must be original of the student entering, including any photos that may be incorporated into the video. If music is used, no copyrighted music can be used without proof of written permission.
• Use of good video technique is encouraged, including the use of a tripod if necessary. Video entries should be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo with a link sent to ruralvoices@ncrpc.org.
• Complete and submit contest registration form by the deadline (February 3, 2025). Once the form is downloaded, it is a fillable pdf. Please note that a signature is required on the registration form. You may either scan and email the completed form with signature or print and mail. See instructions on the form.

Contest Entry Deadline - February 3, 2025

All entries and contest registration forms must be received electronically no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 3, 2025.*

*We suggest keeping a copy of the sent email so there is proof of a date mark prior to the deadline in case technical difficulties arise. Late entries without such proof will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

The contest allows one entry per person.

Eligible: The contest is open to any senior in high school who lives in and/or attends a public or private high school whose district falls within the 12-county NCPRC service area* — including the counties of Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline and Washington. Home school students in this same area may also enter.

*A student is eligible to enter if any portion of their school district’s official boundaries falls within the 12-county NCRPC service area.

Not Eligible: NCRPC employees and their immediate family members may not participate.