"Creating EXPO in the Heart of Louisiana"

 by Paralee Norman,
Liaison Officer to the Louisiana Council of Teachers of English
and Region 6 Representative to the NCTE Standing Committee on Affiliates

Affiliates searching for a profitable and helpful activity to benefit high school students may want to consider an EXPO or Literary Competition, patterned after Pat Graff’s larger EXPO held for years in New Mexico.  The Louisiana Council of Teachers of English (LCTE) is a relatively small organization with fewer than 200 members (post Katrina/Rita).

EXPO is designed to encourage excellence in language arts among Louisiana students in grades 9-12. We have worked together on the EXPO using seventeen different competitions during the last five years and have always come out financially ahead, even during the years following the hurricanes.

We meet in Baton Rouge, the high population center and capital of Louisiana, in the journalism building at Louisiana State University (LSU).   The director for these competitions is Elizabeth Rodriguez, a high school teacher from New Orleans who is supported by the Baton Rouge Advocate as well as LCTE and LSU.  Your supporters might include the local newspaper, universities, and state humanities organizations, when possible, to pay for tee shirts, medals, trophies, meals for judges, and for publicity.  In our state, funding can also come from groups like the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.  Winners are given appreciation state wide, and the Baton Rouge Advocate, in particular, praises first- and second-prize winners and their accomplishments.  The dates we set for this yearly event depend on public school testing and activities; a Saturday in late February or early March works best in Louisiana.  Students are charged $10 each, and the home schools must provide transportation.  One teacher must accompany each set of 15 students.

English EXPO is a learning experience as well as a competitive one.  The contests are designed to last 45-55 minutes and to test specific skills of students.  Registered students must participate in two contests during the day, with results announced at the awards assembly at the end of the day.  Teachers, professors, college students, and others in the academic community  collaborate to critique each student’s work.

Not only does LCTE organize this activity, but our Board members and some affiliate members are active judges, participant teachers, and planners of the yearly event.  It is nothing but happiness to see talented young people delighted about their state-level awards.  As a professor judge, I personally have a chance to “give back."  Many years ago in Iowa where I attended high school, I won a district award for writing and I often think of the confidence and happiness resulting  from that.  In short, this is a win-win situation for just about everyone involved.  Our director for four of the five years we have held EXPO, Elizabeth Rodriguez, will be honored with LCTE’s Distinguished Service Award at our October convention in Lafayette this year.  Elizabeth has gone far beyond what might be expected of a Board member in her service, dedication, and insightful guidance of our Louisiana school children.

More information can be found on the LCTE website.  Our Board members and I would be happy to answer your questions; email addresses can be found on the website.