Enter this month’s challenge: Powerful Places

The prompt: Write about a place that changed you. Start by setting the scene with sensory details and vivid visuals that bring it to life. Take us on your journey of transformation, discovery, or evolution (and remember these themes can be big or small!).

The rules:

• Essays must be submitted as Word documents (docx files)

• Create a title page formatted as follows:

  • [Title of Essay] by [Author Name]

  • Date

• Use 12-pt font of either Cambria or Times New Roman.

• Essays should be 1500 words or less.

• Writing needs to be original—plagiarism is not tolerated in any form.

• Submissions cannot use AI beyond basic spell check or research support. This work should come from you, not Claude.

  • Acceptable use of AI: Asking it to proofread your work for grammatical errors and spell check.

  • Disqualifying use of AI: Asking it to write or rewrite sections of your essay.

Submission deadline: June 30, 2026 at 8 pm MT

Registration fee: $30