Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter Poetry & Essay Contest
The Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites middle and high school students from Kanawha County to participate in our annual Poetry and Essay Contest. This competition celebrates student voices, encourages creative and critical thinking, and honors the legacy of sisterhood, scholarship, and service that defines Delta Sigma Theta.
Eligibility Requirements
Geographic Eligibility: Students must attend school in or reside in Kanawha County, West Virginia
Grade Level:
Middle School Division: Grades 6–8
High School Division: Grades 9–12
Enrollment Status: Must be currently enrolled in a public, private, or homeschool program
Submission Limit: One entry per category (one poem and/or one essay)
Contest Theme
2025 Theme: “Lifting as I Climb: Building as I Grow”
Submissions should reflect on how young people can contribute to positive change in their communities.
Poetry Division
Submission Requirements
Length: 14–40 lines
Format: Any poetic form (free verse, rhyming, haiku, etc.)
Original Work: Must be original and unpublished
Theme Connection: Should address the contest theme thoughtfully and creatively
Judging Criteria (100 Points Total)
Theme Interpretation – 25 points
Originality – 25 points
Literary Structure – 25 points
Technical Execution – 25 points
Essay Division
Submission Requirements
Length:
Middle School: 300–500 words
High School: 500–750 words
Format: Traditional essay with introduction, body, and conclusion
Original Work: Must be original and unpublished
Theme Connection: Should explore the theme with reasoning and examples
Judging Criteria (100 Points Total)
Theme Interpretation – 25 points
Content and Ideas – 25 points
Organization and Structure – 20 points
Style – 15 points
Grammar and Mechanics – 15 points
Submission Guidelines
Format Requirements
Typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or Arial
Student’s name, grade, school, and county on a separate cover page (not on the entry)
Title of work centered at the top of the first page
Page numbers on all pages after the first
Required Documentation
Completed entry form (available on the chapter website)
Signed student pledge of originality
Parent/guardian consent form (for students under 18)
Submission Methods
Email: ciacartsandletters@gmail.com (PDF format preferred)
Mail: CIAC, PO Box 357, Institute, WV 25112
Deadline: December 12, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST
Awards and Recognition
Poetry Division
Middle School: 1st Place – $100 | 2nd Place – $75
High School: 1st Place – $150 | 2nd Place – $100
Essay Division
Middle School: 1st Place – $100 | 2nd Place – $75
High School: 1st Place – $150 | 2nd Place – $100
Additional Recognition
Winners honored at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration at the King Center on Donnally Street, January 19, 2026
First-place winners may read or present their work at the ceremony
Winning entries may appear in the chapter newsletter and on social media (with permission)
Judging Process
All entries will be judged blindly by a panel of educators, writers, and Delta Sigma Theta members
Judges’ decisions are final
Winners will be notified by January 9, 2026
Public announcement at the awards ceremony on January 19, 2026
Disqualification Criteria
Entries will be disqualified for:
Plagiarism or use of AI-generated content
Failure to meet length requirements (more than 10% under or over)
Missing required documentation
Late submissions
Identifying information on the submission itself
Inappropriate or offensive content
Questions and Contact
Contest Coordinator: Michelle Foster
Email: ciacartsandletters@gmail.com
Website: www.ciacdeltas.org
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance and support through established programs in local communities. With over 350,000 members worldwide, the organization remains committed to public service and empowering African American communities through scholarship, sisterhood, and social action.