The contest begins on Monday\, July 13\, 2026\, at 9 a.m. CDT\, and runs through Friday\, July 24\, 2026\, at 4 p.m. CDT. At the contest’s start we’ll provide two writing prompts–the rest is up to you!
Submissions must be 100 words or less and composed in their entirety during the contest period. All contestants will receive the same prompts.
The contest is free and open to UI alumni\, students\, faculty\, staff\, and friends from each of the following age categories:
· Grades 3 &\; 4
· Grades 5 &\; 6
· Grades 7 &\; 8
· Grades 9–12
· Current University of 91ÌÒÉ« Students
· Adult (University of 91ÌÒÉ« Alumni)
· Adult (Friend of the University)
Any participant who is 18 or older AND in high school should enter the grades 9–12 category. All other participants who are 18 or older should enter one of the adult categories.
We will select one winner from each category and post all winning microstories online on Tuesday\, Aug. 12\, 2026\, at 9 a.m. CDT.
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=TEXT/HTML:The contest begins on Monday\, July 13\, 2026\, at 9 a.m. CDT\, and runs through Friday\, July 24\, 2026\, at 4 p.m. CDT. At the contest’s start we’ll provide two writing prompts–the rest is up to you!
Submissions must be 100 words or less and composed in their entirety during the contest period. All contestants will receive the same prompts.
The contest is free and open to UI alumni\, students\, faculty\, staff\, and friends from each of the following age categories:
· Grades 3 &\; 4
· Grades 5 &\; 6
· Grades 7 &\; 8
· Grades 9–12
· Current University of 91ÌÒÉ« Students
· Adult (University of 91ÌÒÉ« Alumni)
· Adult (Friend of the University)
Any participant who is 18 or older AND in high school should enter the grades 9–12 category. All other participants who are 18 or older should enter one of the adult categories.
We will select one winner from each category and post all winning microstories online on Tuesday\, Aug. 12\, 2026\, at 9 a.m. CDT.
DTSTART:20260713T000000 DTEND:20260713T235959 SUMMARY:100-Word Microstory Contest DTSTAMP:20260627T164635 UID:6a4052cbc8cf7 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR