Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition
“A Call to Action”
Early bird On-line Registration deadline is December 14; On-line Registration DEADLINE is Friday, January 4, 2013, 11:59 p.m. EST. Submissions received after this date will not be considered.
The competition is open to all Loudoun County, VA middle school and high school students; grades 6 through 12; public, private, and home school. Individual and team submissions are eligible. There are no limits to number of team members. Participants may engage a faculty or adult advisor.
School Information Sessions
The Step Up Loudoun Planning Committee and Guidance Directors/Counselors will host a "Call to Action" meeting at each high school and most middle schools in November and December where interested students can learn more about the competition, ask questions, and obtain advice as to topic selection, team formation, presentation format, etc.
Direct Questions
Throughout the process, please direct any questions, issues, or concerns to the Step Up Loudoun Planning Committee at info@stepuploudoun.org. The FAQs page and FAQs document will be updated and maintained.
Competition Communications
On-line Registration will capture a e-mail addresses and telephone numbers in order to communicate specific event details, such as location of the competition, presentation schedules, and answering FAQs page and FAQs document, etc. Additionally, participants may refer to this web site and
"Step Up Loudoun",
, and
for information, updates, and FAQs page and FAQs document.
Content for submissions shall meet three criteria:
Identify and address a problem, risk or concern facing Loudoun youth,
Be appropriate for middle school and high school youth, and
Be an original work.
The overall content shall include a discussion and research of an issue facing Loudoun youth, a creative solution to that issue, and implementation of the solution.
For assistance in identifying issues and solutions, please see Resources. Please note those ideas listed are simply examples and all ideas are welcome and encouraged.
A wide range of solution formats are eligible and encouraged, from a video, documentary, case study, blog, web site, discussion forum, rally, meeting, public event, organization, group, club, activity, event, etc., and any combination thereof that can be created/implemented within a three month period. Any format chosen shall be condensed to On-line Registration and supporting documentation for the initial screening process, and then converted to a presentation for the competition.
On-line Registration and supporting documentation
"Scienc Fair" Display and "Elevator Pitch"
The display is similar to a science fair. The elevator pitch to judges, other participants, and guests shall be no more than 2 minutes, but otherwise there are no requirements. There will be Internet access and audio/visual equipment available for use in the presentation; however, entrants are responsible for ensuring technical needs are met for their presentation via communication with the Step-Up Planning Committee at info@stepuploudoun.org.
All on-line entry registrations will go through an initial screening process to be assessed for appropriateness, thoroughness, commitment, and preparation. Orientation is an opportunity for Q&A, fine-tuning, and advice. At the Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition, entries will be judged on the depth of issue analysis, quality of the solution, effectiveness of implementation, originality (in issue selection and treatment), and thoroughness of preparation.
Top 3 winners will be awarded a cash
prize from
Foundation provided
via
, and recognized at numerous Loudoun events.
Team members will share the cash prize.
There will also be additional cash prizes, Superlative Awards, and grant funding opportunities.
Event details & logistics for the orientation sessions in December and January and Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition on Thursday, March 7th will be communicated in advance via e-mail, web site, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
