Open to all, whether you are graduating or not!

We spend much of our time as students trying to get things right—avoiding mistakes as if they turn us into losers. But mistakes can also prove useful and even shape our lives in positive ways. "Embracing Mistakes" is the theme for the 2011 WKCD Graduation Speech Contest, because we want to hear from you—whether you are a senior or a freshman—about the good side of getting things wrong.

Some questions to get you started:

-- What new paths in life or learning have you discovered by mistake?
-- Has taking the risk of being wrong ever released your imagination or your intelligence?
-- How might making mistakes actually change your world for the better?
-- Should schools teach students how to "get it wrong" and not just "get it right"?

DEADLINE: Entries must be received via email by June 1, 2011

PRIZES

• Each of the five best speech writers will receive a $100 gift certificate from Amazon.com and their speeches will appear on the website of What Kids Can Do, Inc. (www.whatkidscando.org).
• Honorable Mention speeches will also appear on the WKCD website (www.whatkidscando.org).
• Winners will be announced in early June 2011.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION

Theme of your speech: “Embracing Mistakes.” Senator Al Frankin of Minnesota wrote in his book, Oh, the Things I Know! (2002): "Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way." The best speeches will help us understand this theme from your perspective and experience—in language that brings your reflections to life.

Who can enter: Anyone from age 12 to 19, writing in English. (You don’t have to be an actual graduation speaker to submit your speech!)

Authorship: The speech must be your own work. Any words you include by someone else must be properly acknowledged.

Length: Your speech must consist of at least 300 words and no more than 500 words.

Format: Your speech must be typed. At the top of your speech, write:

• Your name
• Your date of birth
• Your school name and address
• Your grade in school
• Your email address
• Your telephone contact number.
• The name and contact information of one teacher at your school who can verify that the work is yours.

Permission to reprint: By submitting your speech, you agree that What Kids Can Do (WKCD) may publish all or part of your speech on its website and identify you as the writer.

Sending in your speech: Submit your speech by June 1, 2011, in one of two ways:
1. Copy and paste it into the body of an email message, then send it to gradspeech@whatkidscando.org
2. Attach your speech as a Word document to an email message, then send it to gradspeech@whatkidscando.org