The Griz Days Story Writing Contest is back for its second year. The Griz celebrations this year are classic events of the past so, the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) wants young writers to go back to the past and tell a tale about where the Griz got his passion for winter sports.
Griz Days events are always full of wonderful sporting competitions. The Story Writing Contest will give children a chance to be part of a different sort of competition. “I know there are some very creative aspiring young writers in the Elk Valley,” says CBAL Community Literacy Coordinator, Chrisy Hill. “I want to give them the opportunity to showcase their talents and to feel what it’s like to be a published author.”
This year’s theme for Griz Days is, Spirit of Griz – Celebrating Our Love of Winter. According to Lori Bradish, Griz Days Coordinator, “This theme is about our heritage and all things winter – our history of loving the full range of winter sports, our history of embracing our mountains and playing in the snow.”
Who loves the snow more than the Griz? And so, CBAL asks, if this tall burley man fought off a grizzly bear and lived an isolated life in the mountains, who taught him to ski? How did he learn to play hockey and who did he play with? Who taught him to snowshoe in deep snow? What made him love the winter so much?
Children of the Elk Valley, are being asked to tell how the Griz’s love of winter and winter sports came to be. To tell through the power of storytelling, to write their own story. Let their imaginations soar and unleash their creative ideas!
Where Did the Griz Get His Passion for Winter Sports Story Writing Contest is open to children up to Grade 6. Writers can get help to get their ideas out on paper. There is a minimum and maximum number of words. Grades 5-6: 200-300 words, Grades 2-4: 100-200 words, Grade 1 and younger: 3-6 sentences. Stories must be emailed by Thursday, February 20 to Chrisy Hill at chill@cbal.org
All entries will be published online. The winning stories will be chosen by a small panel of judges. There are prizes for first place in each grade category as well as a prize for a French entry. Stories winning first place will be recognized on Thursday, March 5 at the Jack Carter Kitchen Kick Off Party as well as published in a future edition of The Free Press.
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