Essay Contest
If you're looking for a way to tell your own story and win prizes, you can try the One Book, One College Essay and Art Contest.
Essays up to 1,500 words in length will be judged on originality, compelling content and the quality of written expression. Art compositions must exhibit some relation to the book and must be accompanied by a minimum 50 word artist statement about how the artistic piece connects to the novel. Up to ten finalists will receive a cash prize and will read their essays at an awards ceremony.
For more information, contact Daniel Keener (daniel.keener@chaffey.edu or Bonnie Khaw-Posthuma (bonnie.khawposthuma@chaffey.edu.
One Book, One College Presents
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
This story follows a young, Black adolescent named Elwood Curtis. He is unfairly and wrongly sentenced to attend a reformatory school in Tallahassee, Florida. Here Elwood meets another youth named Turner. They disagree with the way one should approach the world. Turner is much more cynical and thinks that Elwood is naive. As their time at Nickel becomes increasingly dangerous and perilous, the two friends are forced into a decision that has the potential for dire consequences. This book is based on true events of a similar reform school that existed for 111 years.
Essay Contest
Have you ever experienced racism or "othering" in your life? Do you know friends or family who have? What was their story and consequently yours? Do you empathize with people who face systemic oppression in the United States? Do you feel that your education has taught you about historical and ongoing forms of oppression that Black, Indigenous, people of color face? If any of these things relate to you or resonate with you, tell that story. We want to hear from you.
NOTE: You must be a current or former Chaffey College student to enter.
Art Contest
The art contest asks you to make an art piece that in some way relates directly to this book. The options are plentiful. You could draw, paint, sculpt, write a poem, perform a song, perform a skit, make a video, etc. There are many ways to create art that relates to this book.
If you choose this option, please also submit an artist’s statement that explains how this work relates to the book. It should be between 50 and 100 words.
NOTE: You must be a current or former Chaffey College student to enter.
Email Daniel Keener or Bonnie KhawPosthuma to submit your essay/artwork now through Friday, March 24th, 2023. Essays up to 1,500 words in length will be judged on originality, compelling content, and the quality of written expression. Artwork will be judged on how well it relates to the college book as well as its aesthetic quality. Up to ten finalists will receive a cash prize and will read their essays at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 from 6-8 pm on the Wignall Museum patio on the Rancho Cucamonga campus.
To submit your essay and/or art, please contact Daniel Keener at daniel.keener@chaffey.edu or Bonnie Khaw-Posthuma at bonniekhawposthuma@chaffey.edu
When you submit your essay and/or art, please make sure that any identification is omitted. Delete your name from the work. In the email, please include your Chaffey ID number and a phone number where you can be reached.
Poetry Contest
Co-sponsored by the One Book, One College Committee, Library, and the English Department.
Create a poem based on the college book, The Nickel Boys.
Deadline: Monday, November 14th at 4 pm
Poems must be no longer than one page.
Prizes will be gift cards.
Submit Poems to Professor Ian Jones: robert.jones@chaffey.edu
Other Contacts: sean.connelly@chaffey.edu and shelley.marcus@chaffey.edu
