Contest Winners Announced!

Essay Contest

Respond to one of the following prompts.

1) Dr. Paul Farmer faces seemingly insurmountable worldwide health problems and is able to make an impact in easing those problems.   Identify a world issue that you feel is important.  Explain its importance and tell how you feel one person could have an impact on that issue.

2) Dr. Paul Farmer had an unconventional childhood that helped prepare him for his life’s mission.  What lessons are you learning that you feel are going to help you make an impact on tomorrow’s world?

Judging criteria:  Essays will be judged on clarity, originality, and development of ideas.

Submission guidelines:  The contest is open to all high school students.   

Essays should be no more than 500 words and should be typed.  A cover sheet should include the writer’s name, phone number, grade, age, school, and sponsoring teacher’s name if applicable.  Send print copies to

CNY Reads Writing Contest
c/o Elizabeth Loftus, Administrator for Branch Services
Onondaga County Public Library
The Galleries of Syracuse
447 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13202

Prizes:  The winning essay will be published in the Syracuse Post-Standard.  Winners will be invited to participate in a reading of their work to be held at Onondaga County Public Library’s Central Library
April 9, 2008* Please note the date change.

First Place Winners - two pairs of tickets to the Gifford Lecture presented by Michael Ondaatje on May 13.

Second Place Winners - a pair of tickets to Syracuse Stage's The Fantastiks (last week of April).

Third Place Winners - $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

Honorable Mention - Copy of Mountains Beyond Mountains autographed by Tracy Kidder and Paul Farmer

Deadline:  Postmarked by March 15, 2008

Poetry Contest

Respond in poetry to Tracy Kidder’s Mountains Beyond Mountains. You may write about a specific incident or person in the book, or you may respond to an idea or theme presented in the book.

Submission Guidelines: This contest is for students through 12th grade. Poems of any length and style are acceptable. Poems will be judged on their originality and their ability to elicit a response in the reader.  A cover sheet should include the writer’s name, phone number, grade, age, school, and sponsoring teacher’s name if applicable. Send print copies to

CNY Reads Poetry Contest
c/o Elizabeth Loftus, Administrator for Branch Services
Onondaga County Public Library
The Galleries of Syracuse
447 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13202

Prizes: The winning poem will be published in the Syracuse Post-Standard. Winners will be invited to participate in a reading of their work to be held at the Onondaga County Public Library’s Central Library
April 9, 2008* Please note the date change.

First Place Winners - two pairs of tickets to the Gifford Lecture presented by Michael Ondaatje on May 13th.

Second Place Winners - a pair of tickets to Syracuse Stage's The Fantastiks (last week of April).

Third Place Winners - $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

Honorable Mention - Copy of Mountains Beyond Mountains autographed by Tracy Kidder and Paul Farmer

Deadline: Postmarked by March 15th, 2008