Events and Competitions

Battle of the Books

The annual Battle of the Books contest is an event in which teams from participating middle schools compete to answer comprehension questions about books. The process for team selection varies from school to school. The official book list andquestions are provided by the state organization for school librarians. Questions are based on the settings, plots, and characters from the 20-25 books on the official list. Teams respond by identifying the title and author of the books. Points are awarded for correct answers. The winning team represents Guilford County in the regional competition. The primary objective of Battle of the Books is to encourage reading by all middle school students.

Math Counts

Each year the National Council of Professional Engineers sponsors a mathematics contest for grades 6-8. Each participating school selects a team, practices, and competes in a local competition in February. The top two schools and high scoring individuals compete in regional competition and winners compete in a state competition. The state sends the four highest scoring individuals to a national tournament where winners may win scholarships.

O. Henry Festival

The O. Henry Festival Board promotes the Short Story Fiction and Visual Arts Competition for students living in Guilford County . Some students write original short stories while others create visual arts. The O. Henry Festival is open to students in grades 6-12. Judges select the top three choices and honorable mention at each grade level. The contest promotes students' interest in and knowledge of writing and literature and at the same time encourages other creative abilities.

Science Fair

In March of each year, students from elementary and middle schools gather in High Point to display their science projects at the Guilford County Schools Science Fair. To qualify for the county-wide science fair, students' projects must have been judged winners at their schools' science fair. A panel of judges evaluates each project and students in grades 3-8 are interviewed by the judges during the county-wide fair. Criteria for judging includes the clarity, scientific methodology, thoroughness, creativity and dramatic value of the projects, as well as the quality of the interview. Awards are presented in many categories including K-2 individual and class projects, grades 3-5 individual projects and grades 6-8 projects in five categories; biological, earth, physical, applied, and general sciences. Grade 3-8 award winners advance to the Region Five Science Fair held in Winston-Salem in April. The Guilford County Schools Business Advisory Board for Science and Mathematics, which is composed of twelve local corporations, sponsors the county-wide science fair. The creation of science projects by students reinforces the science curriculum taught in the schools and helps students develop their science process skills and knowledge base about scientific concepts.

National Shakespeare Competition

Sponsored by the English Speaking Union, the National Shakespeare Competition is designed to help students develop their understanding of Shakespeare and his universality and to communicate that understanding. Shakespeare is brought to life by expression of words with feeling, clarity, and a full sense of their meaning and intent.

Students compete by memorizing, interpreting, and performing one monologue and later a sonnet. Students must be in the 10th-12th grade and be a permanent resident of the United States . For more information, contact your school's English or Theater Arts departments.

Spelling Bee (Middle School)

Middle schools within Guilford County are provided the opportunity to participate in choosing students who are excellent oral spellers to enter the school district spelling bee. Each middle school may send 4 participants. The school may send one overall champion and one representative from each grade level. The school district spelling bee is usually held in February and the winner represents the school district at the regional spelling bee in Winston-Salem . The regional spelling bee is sponsored by the Winston-Salem Journal and is scheduled for March.

Spring Arts Festival

Each spring, Guilford County Schools sponsors arts events that demonstrate the talents and skills of students.

24 Challenge

Students at each elementary and middle school receive the game 24 Challenge. In this game students are shown a card that has four numbers. Using all four numbers they must get the answer 24 by adding, subtracting, multiplying and/or dividing. A tournament including Guilford, Davidson, and Forsyth counties is held in the fall at the Natural Science Center. This program is funded by Duke Energy Foundation and Tyco Electronics.

Young Writers' Conference

The Piedmont Young Writers' Conference is sponsored annually by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro 's Center for Educational Studies and Development. Students write and publish their own books. Each school selects several students to represent their elementary or middle school. The Conference is held at UNC-G and features sessions with a noted children's author or illustrator. Participants have the opportunity to showcase their individual books at this event. For additional information, please contact your child's school.

Very Special Arts Festival

Very Special Arts (VSA) is an international organization that provides programs in the arts for individuals with disabilities. Founded in 1974 as an educational affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, VSA conducts programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia , and in over 55 countries around the world.

The first Very Special Arts Festival in Guilford County was organized and developed by The Center for Creative Arts in 1986. The Festival continues yearly at Gateway Education Center in Greensboro , NC during the first Friday in May. For further information, contact the Guilford County Schools Arts Education office at 336-370-8323.

Vocational Student Organizations

Vocational student organizations are for individuals enrolled in workforce development programs. They are organized and conducted as an integral part of instruction.

Purposes, goals, and aims common to all the student organizations are to:

• Strengthen leadership skills
• Strengthen thinking skills
• Enable members to work democratically in groups
• Strengthen creativity
• Strengthen self-confidence
• Improve study and instruction

Strengthen knowledge, skills, and attitudes that lead to successful employment
Each organization seeks to attain these objectives within the framework and subject matter of each workforce development program.

The organizational structure and operation of vocational student organizations vary slightly; however, they have many common goals, objectives, and activities. There are variations in local, state, and national membership dues charged by each organization.

In order for students to be a member in good standing and to be eligible to participate in the total program of activities at all levels, individual membership dues are required. All students can participate in VSO activities in the classroom and laboratory.

Career Exploration Clubs of North Carolina (CECNC)

Career Exploration Clubs of North Carolina (CECNC) is a local and state vocational student organization for middle grade students in exploratory workforce development courses.

The purposes of CECNC are to

• Encourage improvement in scholarship
• Develop competent leadership.
• Strengthen the confidence of studnts in themselves and their work.
• Create more interest for exploring tentative career choices.
• Familiarize and encourage participation in VSOs at the high school level.

Organization and Dues

Local - Dues determined by local chapter

Regional - No dues required

State - Annual dues required

CECNC members have an opportunity to participate in a variety of individual, team, and chapter-wide competitive events/related to career exploration.

DECA: An Association of Marketing Students

DECA is a state and national organization available to all students who are currently enrolled in Marketing Education courses.

Organization and Dues

Local - Determined by local chapter

State - Annual dues required

National - Annual dues required

An extensive competitive events program is available for student participation at the district, state, and national levels. All of the more than 25 competitive events and over 100 awards are competency based and designed to enhance, enrich, complement, and supplement the instructional program. The competitive events program included individual, team, and chapter written projects and individual performance events. DECA offers a scholarship awards program on both the state and national levels.

FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America

FBLA is an organization (with state and national affiliations) for middle and high school students enrolled in business education courses. FBLA's mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Co-curricular activities include career exploration, civic service, economic education, and fostering entrepreneurship.

Organization and Dues

Local - Dues determined by chapter

Regional - No dues required

State - Annual dues required

National - Annual dues required

Opportunities for Involvement

Active FBLA members are provided opportunities to participate in several competitive events in middle school and in more than 30 individual, team, and chapter competitive events at the high school level designed to recognize students who excel in applying school-based learning to simulated work-based activities.

FBLA is dedicated to bridging the gap between school and the workplace. Consequently, every program, service, and activity is designed to encourage scholarship and promote competent, aggressive business leadership. Members have the opportunity to attend regional, state, and national conferences which provide leadership development, problem solving and knowledge integration workshops and activities.

FBLA offers a scholarship awards program on both the state and national levels.

FFA: Organization for Agricultural Education Students

Future Farmers of America (FFA) is a state and national organization that serves students enrolled in agricultural education courses. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Organization and Dues

Local - Determined by local chapter

Federation - Determined by Federation

Region - Determined by Region

State - Annual dues required

National - Annual dues required

Opportunities for Involvement

An extensive awards/recognition program is provided for individual members, teams and chapters. These awards are provided through FFA dues, the National FFA Foundation, and the state FFA Foundation. Members also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of leadership development activities and conferences. Over $1,000,000 in college scholarships is awarded annually to deserving FFA members throughout the nation.

FHA/HERO: Future Homemaker of America/Home Economics Related Occupations

FHA/HERO is a national organization for middle and high school Family and Consumer Sciences students. It is a co-curricular organization that is a vehicle for mastering Family and Consumer Sciences competencies through leadership and skill development activities.

Organization and Dues

Local - Determined by local chapter

Regional - No Dues

State - Annual dues required

National - Annual dues required

Opportunities for Involvement

FHA/HERO offers many quality programs and activities that encourage students to set career goals, develop self-confidence, and learn about the problems and opportunities inherent in balancing the family and a career. Chapter projects focus on a variety of youth concerns, including nutrition and fitness, environment, intergenerational communication, family relationships, and career development.

There are 15 different competitive events in various areas of the Family Consumer Science curriculum. There are 10 different national programs and projects individual members and teams may participate in.

HOSA: Health Occupations Students of America

HOSA is a state and national organization whose mission is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health occupations education students, therefore, helping the students to meet the needs of the health care industry.

Membership

High school males and females in grades 9 through 12 with an interest in health careers.

Opportunities for Involvement

HOSA offers competition in four categories, Health Occupations Related Events; Individual Leadership Events, Health Occupations Skill Events; and Team Leadership Events.

Technology Student Association (TSA)

TSA is an organization for students enrolled in technology education courses. TSA's mission is to prepare its membership for the challenges of a dynamic world by promoting technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving, resulting in personal growth and opportunities.

Levels of Organization and Dues:

Local - Dues determined by chapter

District - None

State - Annual dues required

Regional - None

National - Annual dues required

Opportunities for Involvement:

Numerous competitive events are available for student participation at the regional, state, and national level. Winners may advance from local, to regional, state, and national competition by competing in one of over 50 contest categories related to the course curriculum.

TSA helps students acquire and apply design, problem-solving, teaming and leadership skills. Students also learn to use simple and complex tools found in communication, manufacturing, structural, and transportation systems. In addition to competitive conferences, students have the opportunity to attend regional, and state workshops which provide leadership, teaming, and problem-solving development.

SkillsUSA - VICA

SkillsUSA - VICA is a state and national organization that serves trade, industrial, and technical students in secondary and post secondary public schools. Students enrolled in Automotive Technology, Collision Repair Technology, Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology (HEATT), TV Production, Computer Engineering Technology, Network Engineering Technology, Electronics, Metals Technology, Electrical Trades, Construction Technology, and Masonry.

Organization and Dues

Local - Determined by local chapter

Regional - No annual dues

State - Annual dues required for student and professional members

National - Annual dues required for student and professional members

Opportunities for Involvement:

Competitive events are available for student participation at the state level of the organization. Winners advance from local competition to regional, state, and national competition by competing in one of over 60 contest categories related to the curriculum in various courses.

Members are part of a national group of skilled youth on the move - working toward future career goals. SkillsUSA - VICA members make things happen in their schools and communities and in the nation with their leadership and work skills. Members complete at various levels to demonstrate their competencies in skill and leadership contests.