The Ruth Blank Vener and Mary Jane Blank McCormick Youth Writing Contest encourages creative expression and literacy skills
TOLEDO, Ohio — Youth in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Toledo Library’s Ruth Blank Venner and Mary Jane Blank McCormick Youth Writing Contest. Students are encouraged to craft a story in response to this year’s topic: “You’ve become an animal! Do you have fur, feathers or scales? Where do you go? What do you do?”
“This year’s writing contest invites young people to let their imaginations run wild,” said Nancy Eames, youth services coordinator at the Toledo Library. “By asking students to imagine life as an animal, we’re encouraging creativity, curiosity and storytelling and giving kids a fun, accessible way to express themselves through writing.”
The contest was established by Leon W. Blank to honor the memory of his sisters and to promote reading among area youth. Now in its 29th year, more than 21,000 students have participated since the contest was first held in 1997.
“Writing contests help young people build confidence, strengthen literacy skills and see their ideas as something worth sharing,” Eames said. “They create space for youth voices to be heard and celebrated, and they remind students that their stories, no matter their age, have value.”
The contest is open to students in Lucas County and adjacent counties only. Teachers may submit entries for their class, but only one entry per student. To enter, a story must meet the following guidelines:
- be an original work that comes from the writer’s imagination without the use of artificial intelligence
- include a beginning, middle and end
- be 500 words or fewer
- be handwritten or typed (12-point font)
- be stapled to the entry form or entered online
- be text only (no pictures)
- fit on a single sheet of 8½-by-11 inch paper
Grand prizes are awarded in four categories that are organized by grade level: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Prizes include $200 Visa gift cards for first place, $100 Visa gift cards for second place and $50 Visa gift cards for third place, plus a $25 Visa gift card for each branch finalist (one per location).
Entries are due by March 28, 2026 and can be dropped off at any Library location or submitted online.
The Ruth Blank Venner and Mary Jane Blank McCormick Youth Writing Contest is sponsored by the Library Legacy Foundation of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.
For more information, visit toledolibrary.org/writing-contest.