Entries in all four competitions that are part of this month’s “Beyond the Headlines” programming must be submitted by the end of the day on Thursday (Oct. 11), either electronically or in person.
The four contests focus on the role of journalism and journalists in keeping the public informed about issues that should be on the public’s agenda, including poverty in Eau Claire County. Entrants can also deal with whether news reports on this topic portray it the same way it is viewed by members of the audience and why this is important to the public.
Each contest has two entry categories, one each for students in 7th through 12th grades and the second for other community members. Each category is offering first, second and third prizes of $100, $75 and $50, respectively, with funding provided by the Mahmoud S Taman Foundation.
Essays can run a maximum of 1,000 words and should be sent to BTHessay@gmail.com. Visual works can be a maximum of 24 by 32 inches, take any form and may be created by an individual or group. Email videos or photos of the original work to can be sent to BTHvisual@gmail.com.
Entries must include the name, address and contact information of the person submitting them, and which category is being entered. Contest winners will be announced and cash prizes awarded on Oct. 25 during the headliner forum at the Pablo Center at the Confluence.
Labeled work in either contest can also be entered at one of two Eau Claire locations: the front desk of the Local Store (at Volume One World Headquarters), 205 N. Dewey St., between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., or the front desk of the Leader-Telegram, 701 S. Farwell St. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“Beyond the Headlines” is a statewide program of the Wisconsin Humanities Council, which aims to bring state residents together for discussions that explore journalism’s role in enabling productive citizen engagement in American democracy. It is funded in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in partnership with the Pulitzer Prizes.
More information about “Beyond the Headlines” and its October events can be found on the local project’s website.