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Middle School – “Do the Write Thing” Challenge 2026

Published on

TO:
Middle School Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Carolyn Gough, Administrator in Teaching & Learning
Brandee Bergum, Consultant, Secondary Language Arts

Sponsored by the Utah State Board of Education Prevention and the National Campaign to Stop Violence, the Do the Write Thing Challenge offers seventh and eighth grade students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives and to communicate in writing what they think should be done to prevent this type of violence. The Challenge emphasizes personal responsibility by encouraging students to make a commitment to take positive steps to change the problem. Ultimately, the program strives to help students break the cycle of violence in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.

Check out this LINK for all the resources available for this program.

How the Challenge Works

All seventh and eighth grade students in Utah are invited to participate.

  • Classroom Discussion
    • Teachers are encouraged to make the Challenge a part of regular classroom instruction.
  • Writing Assignment and Entry Submission
    • 2026 Entry Deadline January 9, 2026
    • Students complete an essay or poem and teachers submit all writings from each class period for the Challenge.
  • Judging and Selection of Winners
    • College students from throughout Utah will conduct initial reviews and select State Finalists.
    • Two writings per participating school will be selected as State finalists.
    • A panel of VIP judges will evaluate the top 24 entries, 12 boys and 12 girls from across the State, to select two runners-up and one “National Finalist” or “Ambassador.”
  • State Awards Luncheon
    • May 1, 2026, located at the University of Utah Alumni House.
    • Challenge finalists, their teachers, and parents will be invited to attend an awards luncheon where national finalists will be announced.
    • The National finalist, along with their family members, will be invited to attend and stay overnight at the 2026 Promising Youth Conference.
    • The National finalist and the two runners up will be recognized at the May or June Utah State Board of Education Board meeting.
  • National Recognition Summit
    • July 2026 in Washington D.C. (specific dates TBD).
    • The national finalist, their teacher, and parent will participate with winners from across the country at the National Recognition Summit.
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