Winning Contests in Central Texas: A Guide to Success

Are you looking to take part in a contest in Central Texas? If so, you've come to the right spot. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about contests in the region, from how winners are chosen to what prizes are available. At the regional level, student projects can be submitted to contests in the spring. Those who place first or second at the state level will be eligible for the National Competition held every June at the University of Maryland in College Park.

In 2024, winners from Texas and libraries from all three levels will receive cash prizes. The cash prizes for students and libraries are detailed on the website. Additionally, first place winners will be honored at the 2024 Texas Library Association Conference. Six winners will be selected and the Texas Chemical Council will present the prizes.

The Grand Prize winners will also be recognized at the Texas environmental excellence awards banquet in May. TCEQ commissioners and representatives of the Texas Chemical Council will be present to honor these individuals. For those looking to participate in a contest at a younger age, Letters About Literature is a reading and writing contest for students from 4th to 12th grade led by the Texas Book Center of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Students must research and develop their project using the annual theme and the NHD rules to participate in the competition.

Texas students enrolled in grades K-5 are also invited to take part in the Take Care of Texas Kids art contest from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Works of art must be original works created by the contest participant and cannot have been submitted, distributed, or won any other prize in any other contest. The three Grand Prize winners will be recognized at the Texas environmental excellence award banquet to be held in May 2024. In spring, you can enter your work in the regional competition, where they will be judged by educators, teachers, museum staff and historians.