Do the Write Thing (DtWT) Initiative

How the Initiative Works

The Initiative kicks off in September each year. All seventh and eighth grade students in Utah are invited to participate.

• Classroom Discussion

  • Begin in September.
  • Teachers are encouraged to make the Initiative a part of regular classroom instruction.
• Writing Assignment and Entry Submission
  • 2027 Entry Deadline: January 8, 2027
  • Students complete writings and teachers review writings, and help students facilitate the submission.
• Judging and Selection of Winners
  • College students from throughout Utah will conduct initial reviews and select State Finalists.
  • Two writings per participating school will be selected as State finalists.
  • A panel of VIP judges will evaluate the top 24 entries, 12 boys and 12 girls from across the State, to select two runners-up and one “National Finalist” or “Ambassador.”
• State Awards Luncheon
  • April 23, 2027, located at the University of Utah Alumni House.
  • Initiative finalists, their teachers, and parents will be invited to attend an awards luncheon where national finalists will be announced.
  • The National finalist, along with their family members, will be invited to attend and stay overnight at the 2027 Promising Youth Conference, scheduled for May 13 - 14, 2027 at Snowbird, UT
  • The National finalist and the two runners up will be recognized at the May or June Utah State Board of Education Board meeting.
• National Recognition Summit
  • July 2027 in Washington D.C. (specific dates TBD).
  • The National finalist, their teacher, and one parent or guardian will participate with winners from across the country at the National Recognition Summit.

Instructions and Lesson Plans

The Office of the Governor and the Utah State Board of Education Invites You and Your Students to Participate in Utah’s 27th Annual Do the Write Thing Initiative
Governor Spencer J. Cox, State of Utah

Instructions

2026-2027 Utah’s “Do the Write Thing” Initiative Instructions for Classroom Teachers

2026-2027 Do the Write Thing Initiative Teacher Registration (Qualtrics)

2026-2027 Teacher Checklist

Sample Curriculum for Teachers

Teachers are encouraged to incorporate the Initiative into their regular classroom curriculum. Ideas for the classroom could include:

• English: Use as an essay or poetry-writing assignment
• Health: Discuss personal safety and well-being of others;
• Civics: Conduct an exercise on personal and civic responsibility;
• History: Use a historical perspective to examine youth violence.

Lesson Plans

Google Doc, Weber School District

Resources

Do the Write Thing Program
National Campaign to Stop Violence

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Violence and Injury Prevention Program

Utah’s Students Who Accepted the Initiative

Do the Write Thing is not about winning a prize. It is an essential part of a long-term strategy to help students and adults better understand each other and work together to prevent youth violence.

• 2026 Utah's Challenge to Do the Write Thing Student Writings
• 2025 Utah's Challenge to Do the Write Thing Student Writings
• 2024 Utah's Challenge to Do the Write Thing Student Writings
• 2023 Utah's Challenge to Do the Write Thing Student Writings
• 2022 Utah's Challenge to Do the Write Thing Student Writings
• 2021 Utah's Challenge to Do the Write Thing Student Writings