"Lift Every Voice and Sing" Symposium Student Writing Submission

As part of our one-day symposium, we invite high school students from 9th to 12th grade to submit poems, speeches, and essays to help commemorate this event.

All submissions should be inspired by the music, text, or themes from “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon and J. Rosamond Johnson and can take shape as reflections on the music/text, or the music/text can be used as a departure point for a new artistic rendering. Given the nature of this contest and event, obscene, vulgar, and explicit language is prohibited; graphic language is generally discouraged. All submissions must be the original, non-plagiarized work of the submitter. Anything used or borrowed from another person must be appropriately cited.

Students are encouraged to consult with teachers and academic mentors before submitting materials.

Poems: all types of poetic expression are welcome. In general, poems should not exceed one page in length.

Speeches: between 3–5 mins. in length. Written submission; audio/video submission optional.

Essays: Should not exceed 500 words and should be written in good prose style. All quoted material should be appropriately cited.