Florida America 250 Literary Contest | Valencia College Phoenix Magazine
Purpose (all entries must address the purpose in bold below):
The purpose of this literary contest is to encourage community college students to engage creatively with writing while reflecting on freedom, national heritage and/or civic responsibility. The contest will promote student voice, support academic and creative expression, and showcase student talent across the college community. This contest is open to Valencia students only.
Open to all currently enrolled Valencia College students
Submissions must be original, unpublished student work (Any AI-generated writing, including but not limited to translators, Grammarly, or content generators like Chat GPT, Gemini, Copilot will be disqualified)
One submission per student per category (A student may enter in one, two, or all three genres)
All entries MUST reflect on freedom, national heritage and/or civic responsibility
Poetry (Maximum lines-40)
Short fiction (Maximum word count-2,000 words )
Personal essay or creative nonfiction (Maximum word count-2,000 words)
Poetry, fiction, essay/ creative nonfiction:
1st place
$1000 tuition/bookstore scholarship to be used during Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, plus
certificate
(3 $1000 prizes)
2nd place
$500 tuition/bookstore scholarship to be used during Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, plus
certificate
(3 $500 prizes)
3rd place
$250 tuition/bookstore scholarship to be used during Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, plus
certificate
(3 $250 prizes)
All Entries – certificate of participation
Submissions Open: February 28
Submission Deadline May 1st
Submission Judgement: June
Notify Winners (posted on website): July 3rd