Contest

Numerous contests exist for students. My wife told me about a contest sponsored by the Oregon State Poetry Association. I told my kids and they wanted to participate, especially my daughter. Her topic was bunnies, and her brother's was eggs.

I have heard some people assert that schools promote competition at the expense of cooperation. If so, then it seems that student contests are part of what promotes the "competition" ethos. I do not think, however, that the issue is "competition versus cooperation." Both are needed in society. Cooperation is linked to harmony and unity; healthy competition is linked to setting and attaining goals and striving for excellence. Student contests promote healthy competition, and healthy competition among poetry-writing students is a good thing.