The S.C. Press Association and participating S.C. newspapers are challenging Palmetto State high school  students to write an essay, editorial or opinion column that highlights the dangers of texting while driving.  
The statewide winner will receive a $500 prize underwritten by AT&T. Texting while driving is an epidemic. More than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers who are texting, often  causing life-changing injuries and deaths.
Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident.
Despite  knowing the risks of texting while driving, 43% of teens admit to texting while driving.
However, there is an  opportunity to change this behavior.
Ninety percent of teen drivers say they would stop if a friend in the car  asked them and 78% said they are likely not to text and drive if friends tell them it is wrong.  
Write an essay, editorial or opinion column  that answers the question, “Why is it important to take the  it can wait  pledge to never text and drive?”
Your piece should highlight the dangers of texting while driving.
The piece must include the following call to action, “Take the pledge to never text and drive at ItCanWait.com.”
Entries should be  between 300 and 500 words long and must be typed.  

Who can participate in this contest?
This contest is open to all S.C. high school students, including those being homeschooled.  Each entry must  be the work of an individual student.  

How are entries to be submitted? Please mail your essay to: Essay Contest, c/o TheDillon Herald, P.O. Drawer 1288, Dillon, S.C. 29536 or bring it by our office at 505 Highway 301 North, Dillon (beside Bojangle’s).   

Contest Schedule:     
•  Sept. 8, 2014 – Local contest period begins.    
• Oct. 13, 2014 – Local contest period ends. All entries must be received by participating local papers.     
• Oct. 23, 2014 – Local winners will be announced and sent to SCPA to compete in the statewide contest.     
•  Nov. 7, 2014 – Statewide winner announced.  

Who will judge this contest?
Each local newspaper will determine its local winner and send the essay to SCPA to compete in the statewide  contest.
Statewide submissions will be evaluated by a panel of journalists and judged based on concept,  effectiveness of message and writing quality.  
The winning local entry will be published in The Dillon Herald and submitted to the state contest for judging.

What is the prize for the statewide winner?
The prize will include $500, and a luncheon for the student and his or her parents with the leadership  of SCPA, AT&T and the local newspaper.
The statewide winning entry will also be made available to S.C.  newspapers to publish at their discretion.  
Sponsored by South Carolina  
newspapers, the S.C. Press Association and AT& T

The S.C. Press Association and participating S.C. newspapers are challenging Palmetto State high school to produce an online video that encourages their peers to take the it can wait pledge. The statewide winner receive a $250 prize underwritten by AT&T.
Texting while driving is an epidemic. More than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers who are texting, often life-changing injuries and deaths. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident. Despite knowing risks of texting while driving, 43% of teens admit to texting while driving. However, there is an opportunity this behavior. Ninety percent of teen drivers say they would stop if a friend in the car asked them and 78% are likely not to text and drive if friends tell them it is wrong.
Create a video that answers the question, “Why is it important to take the ‘it can wait’ pledge to never text and drive?” Your video should highlight the dangers of texting while driving. The video must include the following call to action: “Take the pledge to never text and drive at ItCanWait.com.” Entries MUST NOT be filmed within a moving vehicle.
Eligibility: This contest is open to all S.C. high school students, including those being homeschooled. Entries can be the work of an individual student or a team of students.
Entry Period: The it can wait video contest entry period runs from Sept. 8 through Oct. 13, 2014. The winner announced on Nov. 7, 2014.
Submit: Upload your video to YouTube and then submit the link to the video on the entry form no later Oct. 13, 2014.
Length: The video must be between 30 seconds and two minutes in length.
Originality: Submissions must be original work of the entrant and must not have been previously published or have won an award or prize of any kind. Submissions or works created by others will not be considered and will be disqualified
Style: Submissions can be in any style or genre of film or video, including, but not limited to, documentary, animation, drama, comedy, still art or imagery.
Format/Size: Entry can be any file format/file size, as long as it can be uploaded to YouTube.
Copyright: Entrants must follow the Use of Copyright Materials in Student Television Network Activities guidelines regarding copyright for their entry. Submissions must not incorporate or include anything that violates any law or the copyright, trademark, publicity right, privacy right or other right of any third party. Proof of permission may be requested. Entries may not contain copyrighted music or images.
Judging: All submissions will be evaluated by a panel of journalists and judged based on concept, effectiveness of message, creativity, storytelling quality, and overall appeal of the video.
Prize: $250 will be awarded to the winner. If a team wins, the prize money will be split equally among team members. In addition to the cash prize, the winner and his or her parents will be invited to a luncheon with the leadership of SCPA, AT&T and the local newspaper.
Contact: Jen Madden | S.C. Press Association | jmadden@scpress.org | (803) 750-9561 | scpress.org/ItCanWait

Sponsored by South Carolina
newspapers, the S.C. Press Association and AT&T