Being an American patriot means choosing honor and service rather than self-centeredness.

Although many patriots have died for our freedom, living unselfishly can be a form of patriotism. In doing so I will join the ranks of people such as:

• General Daniel Morgan
• Clara Barton
• George Washington Carver

Each of these established a pattern of patriotism for us to follow.

I entered the VFW contest and won first place, receiving $ 100.00, a certificate, and a trophy.

A hundred dollars may not seem like a big prize, but the next level competition prize was $1,000.00. Because I won the $100 prize, my entry was automatically entered in the $1,000 contest.

One of the easiest places to look is in a newspaper advertisement, especially the students' section in many local newspapers.

• Use the search bar that is on your browser toolbar.
• Go to Google.
• Use your favorite search engine.

No matter what kind of search that you use, always use one or more of the four key words:

• Writing
• Competition
• Youth
• Student

When using these four words you are sure to get results. Here's an excellent example of one of the results that I found using those key words.

Your English department has information about many opportunities. Keep asking your English teachers throughout your years in school.

One of their goals is to help you learn how to write, where to write and when to write. They are a wonderful resource.

Another one is your school guidance counselor. Guidance counselors and English teachers often get information about competitions. But it doesn't matter if they have all this information and you don't know about it. You have to ask them!

My favorite teacher that has helped me is my mom. She teaches a writing class and without her I would not have even found the competition that I won.

She also gave me suggestions on my first draft. They were very helpful!

So these tips are really insider tips—take them for real!

Although not always based on writing only, many churches hold talent contests. Church talent contests are extremely fun even if you're not participating!

You might have the chance to showcase your poetry, drama (you can write your own), your sermons and your teaching.

There are loads of opportunities available through many houses of worship.

What type of person should enter writing competitions? Everyone!

• If you are competitive it's the ultimate thrill.
• If you aren't, competitions are good for you anyway; they prepare you for the rat race we call life.
• When you know that strangers are judging your papers you tend to more critical of your own writing. This stretches your abilities and makes you a better writer.

Here are just a few places where you can find competitions that are open to various styles of writing:

• SkippingStones
• PrizeMagic

Essay-based competitions teach you various skills that you'll need for high school and college, for example organization, using facts to support your opinion and not plagiarizing.

To prevent plagiarism, if your quote is from a book, put the author's last name and the page number where your information came from in parentheses. If it's from a website put the website URL in parenthesis and nothing more.

MLA Guidelines gives the complete information.

My personal favorite is creative writing because you can let your imagination run wild creating animals, monsters, and people out of words.

I have only entered one creative writing competition so far. I entered a story called A Low Whine, where a man called Griffin buys a wolf as a companion and partner in battle during a war.

I practice creative writing constantly, so when I enter a contest I have a good chance at winning first place.

If you don't follow the instructions it makes nearly impossible for you to win in whatever competition you enter.

A good example of directions is sticking to the number of words that they say is the maximum.

It doesn't matter if your paper is the best paper in the world--you won't win unless you send it in before the deadline.

To remind yourself, try setting alarms on your computer that ask "Have you sent your paper yet?"

If you don't write about what they suggest you will lose points, making it extremely difficult for you to win.

This is especially important in essay competitions.

Not all competitions are free. Sometimes you have to send an amount of money to participate.

When you find a competition you want to enter, be aware of this.

Be positive that you have copied the mailing directions perfectly.

If you don't, it's unlikely they will read your paper--because they won't have received it! If you are unsure of the mailing address, call them.

Use a self-addressed and self-stamped envelope. It's more personal and shows that you are sincere about the competition.

Be deliberately neat. If the postmaster can't read it he can't deliver it.