The Jim Harrell Poetry Scholarship Awards

In an effort to encourage the youth of Alabama to pursue literary exploration and excellence, the Jim Harrell Poetry Scholarship Awards have been established.
Contest guidelines:
1. The competition is open to any high school senior (or equivalent) in the State of Alabama who intends to enroll at the University of Montevallo. This includes students in public schools, private schools, home schools, or any alternative education.
2. All entries must be original and unpublished.
3. Each contestant should submit one (1) poem only, typed on 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper. Four (4) copies of the poem should be sent. Clear photocopies are acceptable.
4. The poem should not be more than one hundred (100) lines long.
5. The poet's name should not appear anywhere on the poem.
6. A cover sheet should be included that lists the poet's name, address, telephone number, the name and signature of the guidance counselor or sponsoring teacher, the name of the high school the student is attending (if applicable), and the title of the poem submitted. The following statement should be included on the cover sheet with the poet's signature:
"I hereby certify that the poem ______(insert title)____is my original work and that all rights to this poem are mine. I am entering this poem as an honest and true representation of my own creativity and unique artistic vision."
7. All submissions should be sent to:
The Jim Harrell Poetry Scholarship Awards
Dept of English and Foreign Languages
Station 6420
University of Montevallo
Montevallo, Alabama 35115
8. Manuscripts must be postmarked by February 1 of the current academic year. No late entries will be accepted.
9. All entries will be recycled once the contest has concluded. Do not send your only copy. No manuscripts will be returned.
10. The winners will be recognized at the Montevallo Literary Festival in the spring.
11. The awards may be applied toward tuition, fees, and books during the first semester's enrollment at the University of Montevallo. No cash will change hands.
12. Award is a one-time scholarship and is non-renewable.

Judging: Entries will be judged off-campus by professionals in the field. Criteria for judges include creativity, originality, imagery, artistic quality, and mastery of poetic expression. Poems in traditional form and rhyme are encouraged. For mor information, contact Dr. Jim Murphy at: murphyj@montevallo.edu.