Spoken Word Contest

Top Prize $100!

APPLICATIONS FOR 2019 ARE CLOSED.

Congratulations to all our 2019 winners! The Spoken Word Contest held at Georgia Tech's 22nd Earth Day Festival focused on celebrating our theme of Earth's Future: It's in Our Hands through verbal showcases. See below to learn about the winners.

1st - Alessandra Smith

Alessandra is a 2nd year environmental engineering major from Columbia, Maryland. She is a driver for Campus Kitchen Projects, a member of Pre-Collegiate Initiatives of the National Society of Black Engineers, and the co-founder of Heard--a GT based collective of writers and poets.

2nd - Rebecca Hammond

Rebecca is a 2nd year chemical and biomolecular engineering major with a Spanish minor from Fayetteville, Georgia. She is one of the co-founders of Heard--a GT based collective of writers and poets, a student ambassador, and a Cultural Diversity and Affairs Committee member.

Kevin Tao

Kevin is a 2nd year biomedical engineering major from Duluth, Georgia. He's involved with undergraduate research, the Laboratory for Synthetic Immunity, Engineers Without Borders, and MD junior. 

Spoken Word Criteria

  • Pieces are encouraged to reflect the 2019 Georgia Tech Earth Day theme - Earth's Future: It's In Our Hands
  • Inflammatory or hate speech is grounds for immediate disqualification.
  • Your piece should be 1-3 minutes spoken in length (approximate word count is 125-150 words/minute)
  • Be prepared to share your submission publicly if you win!

Spoken Word Contest Rules

  • Contest open to Georgia Tech students, faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees.
  • There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may submit.
  • Submit a separate PDF for each entry to earthday.gatech@gmail.com. Do not combine several entries in one file.
  • All entries must be the original work of the entrant. The use of quotes is permissible, but they must be cited to the source.
  • The winners will be selected by the Earth Day sub-committee. The committee's decision is final.
  • Winners will be contacted by email and announced on the Earth Day website.
  • Winners agree to the following:
    • Provide a photo and brief bio for PR purposes (Office of Campus Sustainability can assist with your photo)
    • Practice at least once in person with an Earth Day Committee member in advance of presenting your winning submission at the Earth Day Festival.
    • Present your winning submission at the Earth Day Festival.
    • Appear in person for ceremonial check presentation at the Earth Day Festival on April 19,2019.

Additional Information

Applications for 2019 are CLOSED

  • How to Apply
    1. Email your entry to earthday.gatech@gmail.com
    2. Write " Earth Day 2019 Spoken Word Entry" in the subject line of the email.
    3. Include your full name and Georgia Tech affiliation
    4. Attach your file to the email, PDF format is required.
    5. Make sure your entry adheres to the Spoken Word Criteria and Contest Rules.
  • Prizes
    • First Place Prize - $100
    • Second Place Prize - $50
    • Third Place Prize - $25
  • Contest Duration
    • February 1, 2019 - April 1, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

Good Luck!