The Pedro Pen Writing Contest

                                                                                                                                              Submission Guidelines

To Enter: 

  • By 5 PM on April 30th, 2026, submit your writing piece as a PDF attachment to [email protected]. 
  • Subject line: PEDRO PEN – FULL NAME OF STUDENT – SCHOOL NAME 

Writing Guidelines: 

  • Must be a high school senior graduating in 2026 from a San Pedro school. 
  • Choose a prompt from below and include the selected prompt on the cover page. 
  • Submissions must be no longer than 500 words. 
  • Double-spaced
  • 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font 
  • Cover page must include the student’s name, school, grade level, and prompt selection on a separate cover page. 
  • Ensure your piece has a title. 
  • Number all pages. 
  • Submit in PDF format attached to email. 

Writing Prompts (Choose one): 

  1. The View from Here – Write about a specific location in San Pedro (the breakwater, Ports O’ Call, Point Fermin Lighthouse, etc.) and how it has shaped your perspective of home and community. 
  2. Hometown Reflections – Describe how growing up in San Pedro (or your hometown) has shaped who you are today. What moments stand out as defining experiences? 
  3. Open-Ended in San Pedro – San Pedro is full of stories. Some are well-known, others waiting to be told. Tell us yours. This prompt leaves the angle up to you. Write anything that you feel needs to be shared, be it fiction or non-fiction. It could be a personal memory, a ghost story, a Pedro urban legend, or a historical moment. You can highlight a local issue, uncover a hidden gem, or imagine San Pedro’s future. You are limited only by your imagination. 

Judging Criteria: 

  • Originality and creativity (25%) 
  • Personal voice and authenticity (25%) 
  • Structure and organization (20%) 
  • Grammar, spelling, and mechanics (15%) 
  • Connection to prompt and theme (15%) 

Prizes: 

  • Prizes for the top three entries.
    • 1st – $1,000 Scholarship 
    • 2nd – $500 Scholarship 
    • 3rd – $250 Scholarship
  • Winners will be featured in San Pedro Today magazine. 
  • Certificates and plaques for all recognized pieces. 
  • Local business gift cards for honorable mentions. 
  • Writing workshop opportunities with local writers. 

Download the full flyer here.