@arrayloops Oh wow, that sounds scary but really cool! Did you manage to make it as a SemiFinalist for U.S Presidential Scholar?
@Lunarlitgend I was a US Presidential Scholar in the Arts category (not for the general one).
OMG THAT’S AMAZING!!! 
Hey guys, first time submitting, couple questions! I’m going to submit to the creative nonfiction category. Are two pieces required, or is the maximum two? And I’m going to be 19 but a senior, I can still submit, right?
Thanks 
Hi!
Two pieces are required, yes and I’m not sure. I guess you can still submit, especially since you’ll still be 18 at the time of your submission, I assume.
@arrayloops Any suggestions for the competition?
Hi guys Im entering for spoken word/poetry. I’m really nervous. I’ve always knew I was a write, but not a poet. I actually wrote my first poem a couple of months ago and people loved it. So now I’m going for this. Good luck to everyone!
@Pizzalover9889 I’m sure you poetry is just as good as everyone says it is. Even if you don’t make it, or any of us for that matter, there’s always next year ^^
Good luck to you too! ^^
@arrayloops Thank you so much for answering my question! It’s amazing that you were able to go to Nationals! I’m extremely nervous, but Good Luck to everybody!
@Pizzalover9889 Good Luck! Don’t lose faith in yourself!
I can’t say anything for YoungArts specifically other than the judges aren’t looking for a specific aesthetic. Towards the end of YA week, all the writing Finalists will perform one of their submitted pieces at the Jewel Box to a huge audience - other Finalists, influential donors ($$$), alumni, etc. Consequently, YA really emphasizes originality and diversity along with quality in the works that they select in order to put on an interesting and varied performance. This isn’t like Scholastic and other writing competitions, where a well-written (but slightly generic) piece can get a national medal.
In general, my main suggestion would be to not let competition results affect you very much. I was very result-oriented in high school and a lot of people have told me this, but it took me awhile before I could fully internalize this sentiment. There is a very high degree of subjectivity when it comes to writing competitions especially, and you shouldn’t base your self-worth on getting (or not getting) x or y award. Competitions validate a lot of deserving individuals, but a lot of equally talented writers also slip through the cracks - it just happens. Just submit your best work and hope for the best.
@arrayloops Thank you so much for the advice!
@arrayloops Thanks for the answer!!!
Ah! I just sent in my short story submissions! I’m soooo nervous… but hey, we’ll find out the results by the time Scholastics submissions are due, right? Time will fly by!
@arrayloops thanks for the answer! I’m trying not to be too nervous about YoungArts as I know it’s one of the more subjective contests, but it still sounds like such an amazing experience! Thanks for telling about your past experiences with it!
Just submitted my works! Wish me luck!
@glamourbiscuit good luck!
@glamourbiscuit Good Luck Dude!!!
@FlameAlchemist @Lunarlitgend Thank you so much guys! <3 Good luck too you guys too!
@glamourbiscuit Thank you
Thanks for the encouragement! Good luck again to everyone
@glamourbiscuit Thanks a ton, man!