EXPRESSIONS 25/26

*New Category*

Introducing a new category! Take the stage and screen to express yourself through acting performance. Perform an individual monologue from a play, musical, or movie that uses this year's theme in your work. You may also write and perform your own work - it will be judged as a performance and not as literature. Take this chance to really dive deep into a character of your choosing. Make sure to do your research and watch and/or read the whole project that your piece is from. Think about exploring language, emotion, voice, physical expression, specificity, and dynamics in your monologue to create a final fleshed out performance.

Presentation Requirements: Entries must be fully memorized between 45 seconds - 1.5 minutes in length. Have someone video record your performance piece in only one take. At the beginning of your video submission, state your name, the title of your monologue, the character you are playing, and where the monologue is from (play, movie, musical, self-written, etc.). Lastly, upload your actor’s finished showstopping performance!

*New Opportunity for Younger Participation*

Take "action" and explore this year's theme through film production! Bring to the screen your original work of fiction or nonfiction to express yourself. For this category, the student must be the sole screenwriter, director, cinematographer, and editorial visionary. Avenues to explore "Growing Roots" are through animation, narration, live action, documentary, media presentation, or experimental filmmaking (exploring movement, light, and/or montage). For editorial purposes only, adults may help their child edit or splice their work at the specific direction of the child filmmaker. Think about exploring cinematography, sound and music, narrative style, direction, and editing to create your holistic vision.

Modification for TK-Kindergarten: The cinematic eye is able to be seen even through the youngest filmmaker! You can hand over your device that has a video camera and enjoy how they explore what “Growing Roots” and all its nuances means to them. An adult may choose to edit and add in the other elements from above with the explicit and specific direction from your child filmmaker. Their vision and choices only!

Presentation Requirements: Your fully edited film project must be under 5 minutes in length. Entries need to include a title card at the beginning stating the filmmaker’s name, grade, and project title. Lastly, upload your filmmaker’s finished blockbuster!

New Categories and Opportunities for Younger Participation*

Express thoughts and ideas through the art of writing!  A literature entry is a completely original work of fiction or nonfiction that builds on the theme of "Growing Roots." Prose, poetry, short plays, a monologue, and now comic books and illustrated children’s books are all accepted styles! Entries can be typed or handwritten. If the entry is handwritten it is important for it to be readable for judging. Please refrain from editing the student writer’s grammar; however, it is ok for a parent/guardian to place the correctly spelled word in brackets "( )" for clarification purposes only or if a word is illegible. Illustrations may be included as part of your literature piece; however, illustrations will not be a factor in the judging process. The exception for this is comic books and illustrated children’s books, where the piece will be judged as a whole completed selection. Think about exploring your unique voice and style in timeless yet innovative ways!

Modification for TK-Kindergarten: TK and Kindergarten students may dictate their own words to another person who may type or write down the original student's work. If doing comics or illustrated children’s books the art needs to be the child’s own work, but will be judged as a whole piece.

Presentation Requirements: All entries need to not exceed 500 words, handwritten or typed. Please make sure to add a title, page number, and the student's name on each page, not to exceed size 8 1/2" x 11" paper. If doing a comic or a children’s illustrated book, the illustrations are to be together with the written material and stapled or bound together in the form of a book with the child’s name and title. Other projects may also be bound, if desired.

Please turn in your student’s original work in a large manilla envelope clearly labeled “SRE Expressions” with your student’s name, grade, and category on the front. Lastly, upload your child’s sensational literature, and scan each page in the order that they appear.

*New Category*

Move through this year's theme and express yourself in a new category! Movement can be defined this year as including various dance forms, rhythmic gymnastics, or ice skating. While using this year's theme, take room while discovering qualities of movement in the body through space, time, and energy to communicate your feelings, ideas, and experiences. The performer may use their own choreography or choreography of others to explore “Growing Roots.” Think about exploring technique, rhythm, coordination, storytelling, presence, and individuality.

Presentation Requirements: At the beginning of your video submission please state your name, the choreographer’s name, and the title of the song (if applicable) you are moving to. Individually perform and have someone record on video your movement piece in only one take. All performances need to be 3 minutes or less in length. Lastly, upload your dancer’s knockout routine!*

*Updated Category*

Express yourself through the beauty of sound! You may perform an established piece of music or compose and perform your own unique piece to explore this year's theme. Musicians can individually explore any variety of musical styles through vocal performance, instrumental interpretation, or both! All pieces of music regardless of who composed it will be judged together. Think about exploring sound, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, melody, harmony, and texture to make this year's theme come alive through your musical expression.

Presentation Requirements: All entries are individual and need not exceed 3 minutes in length. The performance is to be done in only one take. At the beginning of your video submission please state your name, the composer’s name, and the title of your piece. Lastly, upload your musician’s hit performance!  

Capture thoughts and ideas through the lens of a camera to explore this year's "Growing Roots" theme!  Take a "click" and include an original black-and-white or color image, or group of images, or a photographic collage produced by a photographic process. Images may be manipulated conventionally or digitally demonstrating photographic techniques and abilities. Any photographs need to be taken only by the student and reflect their own magnificent photographic eye. Think about exploring thoughtful composition, technical execution, and emotional or impactful storytelling while making your artistic photograph.

Presentation Requirements: Entries need not exceed 11” x 14” in total size, which includes the matting. (For matting, please mount prints on cardboard mat, poster board, or some other sturdy material that includes a 1" border (minimum) around the piece.) Please do not frame the art! 

Please turn in your student’s original work in a large manilla envelope, or something similar that can protect the project, clearly labeled “SRE Expressions” with the artist’s  name, grade, and category on the front. Lastly, upload a single photograph of the artist’s crowning work when submitting online. Judging will be off of that photograph.

Bring your "Growing Roots" vision to life in 3D and explore the nuances of the theme! Use your artistic expression and watch it take shape in the form of a sculpture, architectural or building endeavor, diorama, jewelry, or hanging mobile. Due to the nature of the event, artwork must be moveable for display purposes. Think about exploring visual and structural design, attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and storytelling to guide the viewer’s eye in order to make your art come alive.

Presentation Requirements: Sculptures need to be securely mounted on an appropriate weighted material, depending on the nature and weight of the sculptural piece. These may be mounted on cardboard, poster board, or other reinforced material. Entries may not exceed 24" x 30" x 24" in size, including mounted material it is secured onto. If doing a hanging mobile, it needs to be pre hung and secured using the above size and mounting requirements. Attach a piece of paper clearly stating the artist’s name, grade, and category when turning in their work.

When uploading your student’s online submission, please include photographs of the completed piece from 6 different angles and with 3 close up photographs for details (9 photos in total). The student's masterpiece will be judged based on the photographs of the sculpture.

Let your imagination come alive on the page and explore "Growing Roots" and the theme’s nuances using 2D art! You may submit an original drawing, painting, print, non-photographic collage, or computer generated artwork to showcase your creative expression. We ask that you refrain from using clip art for the competition. If your work has any photographic element, please submit it under the Photography Category. Also, if your art is 3D in nature, please submit under the Sculpture Category. Think about exploring emotional impact, unique perspective, strong composition, and a mastery of the medium. 

Presentation Requirements: All artwork must be flat. Entries may not exceed 24” x 30”, which includes the matting. (For matting, please mount prints on cardboard mat, poster board, or some other sturdy material that includes a 1" border (minimum) around the piece.) Please do not frame the art! Make sure the artist’s name, grade, and category clearly are written on the back of their work.

Please turn in your student’s original work in a large manilla envelope, or something similar that can protect the project, clearly labeled “SRE Expressions” with your student’s name, grade, and category on the front. When uploading the artist’s submission please include a single photograph of their stellar work. The photograph is how their work will be judged.