The ELA Honor Society champions the literary and socio-emotional growth of its members—students and Chapter Advisors alike—through an array of annual Creative Challenges, chapter opportunities, and Chapter Advisor grants.
Student Awards
T‑Shirt Design Competition
Student members can design artistic, literature-inspired T‑shirts. The 2025–26 application period runs from December 8, 2025, to January 12, 2026, with results announced on February 16, 2026.
Creative Challenges
Each Creative Challenge is different and will allow students to engage with literature in different ways:
- Fall Blackout Poetry Challenge (Sept 29 – Oct 14, 2025; results: Nov 10)
- Winter Trading Card Challenge (Dec 8 – Jan 12, 2026; results: Feb 16)
- Spring Tableaux Vivant Challenge (Mar 23 – Apr 6, 2026; results: May 11)
Chapter Opportunities
Chapter Showcase Program & Awards
Chapters are invited to highlight community-based projects they have worked on. The winter and spring showcases follow the same timeline pattern as student challenges—applications in from December 8, 2025, to Jan 12, 2026, and from March 23 to April 6, 2026, with results on February 16, 2026, and May 11, 2026, respectively.
Chapter Advisor Grants
Professional Support Grants
Chapter Advisors can receive funding for professional development or DEI initiatives in late September, early December, and late March, with award decisions following in November, February, and May.
Classroom Library Grants
Offered once each academic period (opening Sept 29, 2025; closing Oct 14; results Nov 10), these grants help build diverse, inclusive classroom libraries—especially effective for schools with limited book access.
Any questions about awards, opportunities, and grants can be directed to Chris Lockwood, ELA Director.
More from ELA Bookworm: August 27, 2025
Launch of the New English Honor Societies Website
New Student Recruitment Resources
Student Enrollment
Important Resources for Chapter Advisors
