The Follett Challenge launches its eighth annual contest today and this year’s entrants will have additional incentive to capture the Grand Prize. In addition to winning $60,000 in Follett products and/or services, the winning school will receive a personal visit from Kwame Alexander, one of the country’s most acclaimed children’s book authors, as part of the award celebration.
Alexander, a New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medalist, also will serve as a judge for the 2019 Follett Challenge, which is open now for entries through Dec. 14.
Follett will award a total of $200,000 USD in products and/or services to schools/districts with innovative educational programs. All public and private K-12 schools/districts in the United States, Canada, and Australia are eligible to apply.
Follett Challenge entrants must complete an online application and submit a video describing their program outlining how it has made a positive impact on their school.
Three semifinalists are to be selected—one each from the elementary, middle and high school categories—and will earn $30,000 prizes. The Grand Prize winner, to be selected from the three semifinalists, receives an additional $30,000, plus a visit from Kwame Alexander. Ten $8,000 prizes will be awarded to People’s Choice winners, which are those schools receiving the highest number of online votes from the public for their submitted videos.
Key 2019 Follett Challenge dates are:
· Oct. 22, 2018: Contest formally launches; entries open
· Dec. 14, 2018: Entries close
· Jan. 21, 2019: People’s Choice voting begins
· Jan. 25, 2019: People’s Choice voting closes
· Feb. 27, 2019: Semifinalists and 10 People’s Choice video winners announced
· April 24, 2019: Grand-prize winner announced
For more information about the Follett Challenge, visit www.FollettChallenge.com.
