Youth outdoor journalism contests seek entries

No one can tell me that in St. Mary Parish, which literally lives and breathes nature and outdoor activity, there isn’t at least one young person who can jot down in a few hundred words his or her outdoor experience and enter an essay contest.
Moreover, who hasn’t taken at least one “selfie” of an outdoor activity that could be entered in a photo contest?
Once again this summer, the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association is conducting their annual Youth Journalism Contest, their boy and girl Youth Hunter Award Contest and their boy and girl Youth Angler Award Contest.
The last time a local participant entered and won any of these competitions was way back in 2010. That year, Berwick High School graduate Catherine Parsiola won the YJC Senior Division Essay Contest for ages 14 to 18 years old, with her essay, “Nature’s Spectacle.”
The problem with St. Mary Parish students is, seldom do they enter. What’s more, I, personally, am not sure why. It may be because they miss the announcement. It may be a lack of interest. It may just be because they’re sick and darn tired of school and anything associated with it — like writing.
If it’s the latter, I certainly can see why they’d distance themselves from whatever appears to be and looks like homework. But this isn’t homework. This is an opportunity to share your outdoor adventure story and photographs with the masses.
Besides receiving major media recognition, winners have a chance to win cash prizes or a Louisiana lifetime hunting or fishing license. Again, all you have to do is enter.
There are three Youth Journalism Contest divisions. The Senior Essay Division is for ages 14 to 18. The Junior Essay Division is for ages 7 to 13. The Photography Division is for 7 to 18 year olds.
Writers are limited to one 300-1,000-word original and unpublished entry about a personal hunting, fishing, boating, camping, hiking or other outdoor activity experience. The entry must be typed and double-spaced.
Photos must be original and unpublished black and white or color and be 4 x 6, 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 inches, center mounted on an 8 x 10 board (cardboard-type materials).
The deadline for the Youth Journalism essay and photography contests is June 30.
Send all Youth Journalism Contest entries to: Joe Macaluso, c/o Advocate Outdoors, ATTN: LOWA, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.
Writers also can submit their entries, complete with the above information, via email to: outdoors@advocate.com.
It’s too late for youth to enter the Youth Hunter Awards program. That deadline was May 31.
But, it’s not too late to be thinking about entering this program next year, because it begins with this spring’s turkey season.
The Youth Hunter Award program is for ages 15 and younger. The contest requires youth to submit a “preferred” double-spaced essay of any length, along with photos of the hunt. The quarry doesn’t matter, as long as it’s legal, and though not required, also preferably game hunted in Louisiana.
For more information on the Youth Hunter Award program, participants can call the Youth Hunter Award Chairman, David Moreland, at 225-978-6552 or email heflinroots@hotmail.com.
There is still time to enter the Youth Angler Award program. The Youth Angler Award program mirrors the Youth Hunter Awards. Participants must be 15 years old or younger. And, stories must be about memorable fishing trips in Louisiana.
Essays could include, but are not limited to, who, when, where, how and why of the trip. Deadline for this contest is June 30.
Youth Angler Award entries can be sent to: LOWA Youth Angler Registry Program, c/o Capt. Wendy Billiot, 2715 Bayou Dularge Road, Theriot, LA 70397. Email Billiot at captwendy@bayouwoman.com for more information.
Some of the sponsors for these various contests include the Louisiana Chapter of Safari Club International, the South Louisiana Branch of Quality Deer Management Association, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Bowie Outfitters.
The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association holds its annual awards banquet in August, where all winning contestants will be recognized and honored for their efforts. Numerous outdoor print, radio and television media members across the state will be on hand to conduct interviews with the winners during the awards program. All you have to do is encourage your youth to enter.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Flores is The Daily Review’s Outdoor Writer. If you wish to make a comment or have an anecdote, recipe or story you wish to share, contact Flores at 985-395-5586, at gowiththeflo@cox.net or visit his Facebook page, gowiththeflo outdoors, and message him.