MANSFIELD, PA— The Endless Mountains Writing 
Project (EMWP), hosted by Mansfield University, will be assisting the judging of the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the largest, longest-running recognition program for creative teenagers. For nearly 100 years, the Awards have provided teachers with a unique opportunity to motivate and challenge students to become better writers.
Some of our nation’s most celebrated writers were first discovered by the Scholastic Awards as teenagers, including Sylvia Plath, Joyce Carol Oates, and Truman Capote.
Students in grades 7 – 12 submit their works of visual art and creative writing to be reviewed by professionals to receive recognition, exhibition, publication and scholarships.
This contest helps connect readers with the work of contemporary young writers. Jurors get a first look at nation-wide trends in writing education and gain an affiliation with the most prestigious awards program for creative students in the country and will receive national publications of student work. They may also gain inspiration for educational research and writing.
Serving at judges will be: Julie Cooper, Kim Slusser and Devyn Sivers (Mansfield University); Rosalie Bates, Missie Morral, Tom Perry, Jessica Spencer, Jane Spohn and Samantha Yonkers (Northern Tioga School District); Belinda Barnes, Robin Slabey and Bobbi Van Druff (Southern Tioga School District); Lisa Higham (Wellsboro School District), and community members Dick Heyler, Alyssa Higham and Kasey Coolidge.
Nanci Werner-Burke (Mansfield University), Tammy Owlett (Northern Tioga School District) and Laurel Smith (Southern Tioga School District) will serve as alternate judges.
Judging will take place from January 7-20. Winners will be announced in March.
The EMWP at Mansfield University is an official site of the federally-funded National Writing Project, which contributed supplies for many of the research initiatives and toward tuition for the workshops. The NWP mission is to improve student achievement by infusing writing into teacher development.
For more information, go to nwp.org/