Entrants must be 13 years of age or older, be attending or have graduated from a private K-12 school, and have received a publicly funded or needs-based scholarship to attend that school, or be attending or have graduated from a charter school.

Parents or guardians of children who attend or who have attended a private K-12 school and who received a publicly funded or needs-based scholarship or a charter school may also submit a story. In that case, the award will be in the parent or guardian’s name.

Educators in schools serving the children described above are also eligible to submit stories and receive a gift card.

By submitting a story, entrants agree that the American Federation for Children can use and publish any and all submitted story content. Only stories that are published by the American Federation for Children are eligible for a monetary award.

The Contest winners are selected by the American Federation for Children staff based on originality, content, and accuracy. No one selecting a Contest winner will have any connection to the entrant or be in a position to affect the objectivity and impartiality of anyone selecting a Contest winner.

Entrants agree to accept and be bound by all terms of these Rules and to accept and be bound by the decisions of the American Federation for Children, Inc., whose decisions are final with respect to all matters of the Contest.