Inspirations Contest Rules

Contest rules and regulations

Student Guide

If you’re a high school student between the ages of 14 and 17, "Inspirations: Compassion in Action" contest is for you! Tell us about an individual (or group of individuals) who, through their compassion and leadership, has inspired you personally and has helped to make their community a better place. Submit an original work and you’ll have a chance to win one of 12 amazing weeks at Encounters with Canada in Ottawa, compliments of LEARN. Winners will join students from across the country in the theme week of their choice (between November 2019 and June 2020), taking part in unforgettable citizenship, leadership and career-exploration activities in the nation’s capital.

Contest Period : From August, 30, 2019 at 9:00am EDT to Friday October 18, 2019 at 12:00am (midnight) EDT

IN COLLABORATION WITH

A. ELIGIBILITY

The contest is open to students between the ages of 14 and 17* attending English-language high schools in the province of Quebec. Quebec students who are home-schooled in English are also eligible. A student may enter individually.

If you are one of the 12 winners, a parent or guardian consent will be necessary.

In order to win, your entry must conform to the rules and regulations outlined in this guide. Only one (1) entry per student will be accepted.

*Note: Winners must be between the ages of 14 and 17 when they attend Encounters with Canada. (See below for dates.) Students who have already attended Encounters with Canada are not eligible.

B. PRIZES

Twelve (12) winners will be selected to spend one week at Encounters with Canada in Ottawa, compliments of LEARN. The prize must be redeemed between November 2019 and June 2020. Winners may choose from among the following theme weeks and dates:

Note: The specific theme week to be attended by the winner will be confirmed by Encounters with Canada, and will be subject to availability.

During each of these theme weeks, students will make new discoveries, meet dynamic people, exchange ideas through workshops, presentations, excursions and hands-on activities and have the opportunity to explore potential career options. Plus, they’ll gain a greater appreciation of their country and become more informed and engaged citizens.

You can visit the following link to learn more about the theme weeks: https://www.ewc-rdc.ca/pub/en/theme_week or download the 2019-2020 program here

With a value of $750, each prize includes transportation to and from Ottawa, lodging (at the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre in Ottawa), meals and activities for one week.

Note: Students will be expected to bring their own spending money. Transportation costs are covered by Exchanges Canada for Canadian citizens and landed immigrants only.

C. HOW TO ENTER

No purchase required.

• Choose a subject: Who do you wish to profile? Choose an individual (or group of individuals) who has inspired you through their compassion and leadership, who has gone out of their way to help others or a person in need. It can be anyone from a classmate or coach to a famous person or an organization.
• Research your subject: Find out as much about this person or group as you can. You may conduct interviews, do online or library research, etc. List the most important and interesting information to include in your submission. Think about how and why this person or group has inspired you and made a difference in their community.
• Select a format: Find a creative way to describe the individual or group by creating a work using one of the format options listed below:

OPTION 1: Write an essay or an article or poem

• If you choose to write an essay, it must be no longer than 1,500 words. There is no minimum length.
• Before you start, plan your written work. Examine your research to decide which information to include.
• Here are some writing tips:
  • Start with an interesting fact or thought to grab your reader’s attention.
  • Make sure the body of the work follows a logical sequence.
  • If based on interviews, include one or more quotations from the individual(s) being profiled or those who know them.
• At the end of your text, list all your sources (Internet sites, books, individuals, etc.)
• Proofread your work for errors in spelling and grammar prior to submission. Avoid paragraphs that are too long.
• You may include photos and artwork if desired, although this is optional.
• Format: The content you upload should be in digital form. The accepted formats are: PDF, DOC or PPT and should be print quality resolution.
• Size: The file size should be no larger than 5Mb.

OPTION 2: Create a video

• Format: Films from digital cameras, camcorders and phones are all eligible if they are in QuickTime (MOV), or MP4 file format.
• Length: The maximum length for your video is 3 minutes. There is no minimum length.
• Plan your video: Before you begin, decide how to illustrate your research findings creatively (i.e. as a short documentary, an interview, a news report, role play or performance of an original dance, slam poem or skit). Write down your plan for the video, including the overall focus, a brief description of the video’s storyline and a breakdown of the timing. If time allows, you may wish to create a storyboard as well.
• Practice: Rehearse the video a couple of times, and revise the draft if needed.
• Get filming!
• List sources: At the end of your video, list your information sources and acknowledge all individuals who have contributed to the video.
• Edit: Free editing software is available online to help you produce a high quality final product.

OPTION 3: Draw or paint a picture or create poster

• You can express your research creatively in a work of art (i.e. a drawing, a collage, a painting or a poster illustrating the person or group that has inspired you).
• Format: The content you upload should be a digital image of your drawing, painting or collage or other artwork. The accepted formats are: jpeg, png, gif or PDF and should be print quality resolution.
• Size: The file size should be no larger than 5Mb.
• Write an artist’s statement to accompany your work: Fill out the accompanying Artist’s Statement template to describe: 1. the Materials and Techniques you used for your work; 2. the Personal Connection – what has inspired you about the person or group you have chosen; and 3. the Connection to the World – how they have contributed to their community.

D. DEADLINE

Entries must be received no later than midnight on Friday, October 18, 2019.

E. GENERAL RULES

• The submission must be your own original work.
• Your submission must not infringe on the copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity or other personal or proprietary rights of any person or entity.
• If using music in your video, it must be original and/or not copyrighted.
• An entry including content that is deemed offensive or inappropriate will be disqualified at the sole discretion of LEARN and Encounters with Canada
• All entries become the joint property of LEARN and Encounters with Canada. Winners may have their entries presented on the LEARN and/or Encounters with Canada web sites, blogs, newletters or social media and/or presented at student events.
• All personal information, such as name and contact information, is collected by LEARN solely for the purpose of administering this Contest and will not be used for any other purposes without your consent.

F. JUDGING CRITERIA

When evaluating your entry (essay, article, poem, drawing, painting, poster, or video) the judges will take the following into consideration:

G. WINNERS

• Twelve (12) winners will be selected from all eligible entries.
• Winners will be announced no later than October 28, 2019.
• Winning students will be notified by a representative of LEARN, and details will be provided about how to register for the theme week of their choice.
• Parent or guardian consent will be required for every winner.
• Once winners have been notified that they have won, it will be also be announced via social media, newsletters and the web site.
• Upon their return from Encounters with Canada, winners will be required to share some of their photos and/or videos and experiences in a letter of appreciation to LEARN. The photos and letter, or parts of it may be posted on the LEARN website, newsletter or blog and/or social media.