2012-13 Essay Contest
[printable essay information]

“I was sitting in a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the window and saw Mom rooting through a Dumpster.” That’s the shocking sentence that begins the 2012-2013 Chaffey College Book, The Glass Castle. What follows is an account of the events leading up to this chance encounter, beginning with Walls’s earliest memory—setting herself ablaze while cooking unsupervised as a three year old—and continuing through her chaotic, unpredictable, and nomadic young life as of one of four kids raised by ill-equipped parents. The Glass Castle is a heartbreaking and inspirational memoir, an astonishing tale of family, its dysfunctional aspects, its tender moments, its disappointment, and its resilience.

If you have your own true story about unconventional parents, sibling bonds, a childhood on the go, homelessness, poverty, addiction, betrayal, bullying, abuse, self-preservation, loyalty, imagination, ingenuity, determination, the power of writing, or your journey to success, the One Book, One College Committee welcomes your submissions. In fact, you are invited to compose any essay (a description, narrative, argument, exposition, research paper, profile, critique, etc.) that connects to this year’s College Book. Essays should be between two and five double-spaced pages and will be judged on originality, compelling content, and the quality of written expression.

Deadline: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 by 12:00 pm

How to submit your essay:
A paginated hard copy of your essay may be submitted in the Rancho Writing Center, the Fontana Success Center, or the Chino Success Center any time prior to the deadline. Please do not write your name on your essay. Instead, include a separate title page with your name, phone number, and student ID number. Please also include your title on the first page of your essay.

Finalists will receive a cash prize and read their essays at an awards ceremony in April.

For more information, contact Prof. Neil Watkins (652-6952) or Prof. Deckard Hodge (652-6924).