Making a Difference of Lebanon, PA Announces Two Youth Writing Contests Celebrating Student Voices and Community

Making a Difference of Lebanon, PA is proud to announce two exciting youth writing contests designed to uplift student voices, encourage creativity, and celebrate the power of storytelling across Lebanon County.

Voices That Matter: When We Speak Youth Writing Contest

We are proud to be a sponsor of the Voices That Matter: When We Speak Youth Writing Contest, a community-wide opportunity that empowers students to share their stories and be heard.

Open to students in grades 1-12, When We Speak is a community-wide youth writing contest created to provide a safe and supportive space for students to share their voices through storytelling. Students may submit short stories, poems, or creative pieces that are personal, fictional, imaginative, or symbolic. Submissions may come through participating schools or independently, ensuring all students-regardless of access-can participate.

Judges will look for:

• Original ideas
• Honest storytelling
• Creativity and imagination
• A clear beginning, middle, and end

Perfect grammar is not required. The focus is on authenticity, heart, and meaningful expression.

Winners will receive a writing award, recognition at the Lebanon Farmers Market Book Launch, and publication in the 2026 Youth Anthology.

Community Creative Writing Contest with Myerstown Community Library

Making a Difference of Lebanon, PA's Education Committee is also excited to announce a new partnership with the Myerstown Community Library, a proud member of the Lebanon County Library System, to host a Creative Writing Contest throughout the month of February.

This contest encourages youth to reflect on the shared theme:
"What supporting your community means to you."

The contest is open to young writers in three age groups:

• Ages 9 and under
• Ages 10-14
• Ages 15-18

Participants may submit a wide range of creative writing formats, including poems, short stories, personal narratives or essays, letters, speeches or monologues, one-act plays or scripts, comics or graphic stories, and song lyrics.

Each age group will have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Important Dates:

• Submissions Open: February 1
• Submissions Close: February 20
• Winners Announced: February 28

Entries may be submitted by emailing completed work to [email protected] .

Making a Difference of Lebanon, PA and the Myerstown Community Library look forward to celebrating the imagination, creativity, and voices of young writers across Lebanon County. These contests aim to build confidence, foster self-expression, and provide meaningful opportunities for youth to share their stories and perspectives.

For more information about Voices That Matter: When We Speak, visit jamilettecintron.com/voicesthatmatter .

For more information, visit www.makingadifferenceoflebanonpa.org

Established in 2013, Making A Difference of Lebanon, PA is a volunteer-run non-profit charitable organization, registered as a 501(c)(3). Building lasting relationships throughout the Lebanon County community by providing services to youth, veterans, and those in need through Education, Service Projects, and Events.