Essay and Creative Expression Contest
Each year the Office of Undergraduate Studies and Messina sponsor a Common Text essay contest and a creative expression contest for the newest members of the Loyola community.
The two first prize winners will each receive a check for $300. 3-4 students will also receive Honorable Mention prizes of $100.
To be eligible, please submit an original essay or creative expression entry based on one of the prompts using the link below no later than midnight on August 7, 2025. We will recognize and celebrate the winners during Fall Welcome Weekend. Only one submission per person will be accepted.
Essay Prompt
Prompt:
Families are social structures, built and maintained through complex communication patterns, with family members acting both as individuals and as part of the family unit. Members of our family may be the people who know us best, and they may be the people from whom we are hiding important information. For your essay, describe how incorrect assumptions about other people can lead us to overlook their feelings, contributions, and abilities. Why do we make assumptions about other people in the first place? How do our assumptions impair our ability to understand reality? In a family or other social structure, why are assumptions about other people both necessary and potentially problematic?
Your essay should be no longer than 5 double-spaced, typed pages. Please include your name at the top of each page and submit your essay as a Microsoft Word or PDF document only.
Submissions to the category will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for the following qualities:
- Written work that clearly address the prompt and references examples from the book
- Originality and imagination
- Written work that is clear, articulate, and logically organized
- Written work that is carefully proofread
Creative Expression Prompt
Prompt:
Mia, the narrator of Happiness Falls, offers footnotes throughout the book to clarify her thoughts or offer contextual information, and she explores her many interests and how they inform her understanding of the world. What are some real-life footnotes that we offer the world as we interact with each other each day, that help others to know and understand us better? You may paint, sculpt, draw, build, sing, write, etc. to respond.Artwork of any size and any medium will be accepted. Entries should be accompanied by an artist statement that does not exceed 500 words (1 page, double-spaced). Your artist statement should identify a solution, note its relation to the text, and reflect on the process of making the entry.
Creative Expression submissions may consist of the following categories:
- Visual Arts: Possible submissions include two-dimensional or three-dimensional works, in any media. You may submit a photo of the piece and/or a graphic file in JPG or GIF format. The recommended size for all files is 2MB or under.
- Creative Writing: Examples of this category include poetry, short stories, song lyrics and other forms of creative writing. All entries must be under 1000 words, in English (or include an English translation of the original work). Please submit as a Microsoft Word or PDF document.
- Music: Submissions should include a video or audio recording and a copy of the lyrics (include an English translation if the lyrics are in another language). Lyrics should be submitted as a Microsoft Word or PDF document. Video or audio recordings should be submitted in MOV or MP4 format, or you may upload the video to YouTube and provide us with a link.
- Digital Media: Short video submissions should be between 2 minutes and 5 minutes. Acceptable formats for video submission are MOV, MP4, or you may upload the video to YouTube and provide us with a link.
- Dramatic Monologue: Dramatic monologues may be captured through short video submissions and should be between 2 minutes and 5 minutes. Acceptable formats for video submission are MOV, MP4, or you may upload the video to YouTube and provide us with a link.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria: content, application and interpretation of the theme, and consistency with the prompt. Submissions to the category will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for the following qualities, depending upon the format and medium of the entry:
- Well-thought-out piece that clearly addresses the prompt
- Depth of feeling about the subject
- Originality and imagination
- Eloquence and style
- Written components are clear, articulate, and logically organized
- Written components are carefully proofread
Students should respond to the prompt using only the Common Text, your intellect, and creativity. No outside resources are necessary in this exercise in reflection and discernment. The goal is original thought and expression inspired by careful reading. However, if you use quotes or other copyrighted material, please use MLA or APA format and supply a Works Cited/Reference list.
By virtue of submission, the participant gives permission to Loyola University Maryland to publish the work as part of a virtual gallery or to use it in other promotional material.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the essay or creative expression prompts and guidelines, please contact the Messina Office at 410-617-2669 or messina@loyola.edu.
