Redwood Writing Contest
Co-hosted by the Redwood Writing Project and the Redwood Council of CATE at Cal Poly Humboldt, this annual North Coast California writing contest invites students in grades 3-12 to submit original personal essays, poetry, or short stories organized by grade band. Winners are published in a contest anthology, invited to an awards ceremony, and top entries advance to the statewide CATE Student Writing Showcase.
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YOUTH: Creative Competition for Bay Area High School Artists
Organized around the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promoted through Creative Sonoma, this annual competition invites Bay Area high school students to submit original work in essay, poetry, video, or fine art categories. Winners are recognized at a public 'Step Into the Light' exhibit and awards ceremony, with cash and prizes for best-of-show entries in each category.
CATE Creative Writing Student Showcase
The California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) runs an annual statewide creative writing showcase inviting California students, including high schoolers, to submit poetry, short stories, or essays responding to an annual prompt. Local CATE council divisions select top entries, which are published on the CATE website; the 2026 prompt is 'Preserving Narratives, Amplifying Perspectives,' exploring AI and human voice.
Tri-Valley Writers High School Writing Contest
The California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch hosts an annual writing contest for students attending high schools in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon (East Bay, CA). Students submit up to two original pieces in poetry, nonfiction, or short story categories; branch members judge entries, and winners receive cash prizes and read their work at a public awards ceremony.
California Student Media Festival
The California Student Media Festival is a nonprofit statewide competition open to any California PreK-12 student (public, private, charter, extracurricular, or homeschool) to submit original work in Film/Video, Animation, Photography, Audio (music or podcasting), or Interactive Media, judged in a Secondary (grades 9-12) division. Finalists are celebrated at an annual awards ceremony, with 2026 entries accepted January 19-March 31 and the ceremony held in May.
Glisten National Student Council
A national youth leadership program run by Glisten (formerly GLSEN) for LGBTQ+ and ally high schoolers in grades 9-12 to build advocacy and leadership skills and help shape the organization's programs addressing school climate, racial justice, gender justice, and disability justice. Selected students receive a $1,000 stipend for their year of service on the council.
SF Photography Competition (Bay Area Showcase)
Sponsored by Peak Design, this annual Bay Area photography competition invites high school students in grades 9-12 to submit original photos responding to the theme 'What Does SF Mean To You?' Winners receive Peak Design photo gear, media features, and an exhibition of their work at the Peak Design flagship store in San Francisco.