Tell Us Your True Teen Story

1. Have you faced a big challenge in your life?

2. Do you have a passion, or something you really care about?

3. What makes you different or unique?

The Instructions

1. Scroll down to Teaching Resources below to find a video and other prewriting resources.  

2. Use them to help you write your essay.

3. Have a teacher, parent, or guardian submit your work to our contest. *

The Prize

One winner will get $100 for their student/child, and the winning entry will be published at Action Online. The student’s teacher will get a free class subscription to Action and a book for every member of the class.

DEADLINE: April 1, 2027. 

Click here for official rules.

^{*Entries must be written by a student in grades 5-12 and must be submitted by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian of the student. Entries submitted} 

^{by someone under 18 will be deleted and disqualified. At this time, we can only accept entries by email. Entries must be received by April 1, 2027.} 

^{Email to: [email protected].} 

^{For official rules and contest entry forms, go to action.scholastic.com/contests.* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the U.S.} 

^{age 18 or older, who are the teacher, parent, or legal guardian of students in grades 5-12. Void where prohibited.}