This year, a record 1.5 billion students of all ages stayed home from school due to the coronavirus pandemic. And now, many countries, states, cities, families and school administrators are struggling with how to send students back to school safely.

Everything from modified school schedules to continued online learning at home, and smaller classroom sizes, as well as face mask requirements and outdoor learning are being implemented across the globe from the university level down to elementary schools.

Experts predict that continued school closures may lead to increased drop-out rates, particularly among adolescent girls, which will lead to increasing the gender gap in education that already exists.

So, we want to invite Lowcountry girls, aged 14 and older, to share how they’re staying strong and continuing their education in this challenging time. We ask you to SHOW us and TELL us: “What does going ‘back to school’ during the coronavirus pandemic look like for you this year?”

Your video can be up to 4 minutes long. You can upload an edited video or hit record and speak from the heart.

We’ll select two outstanding videos. One grand prize winner will receive a $500 scholarship and one runner up will receive a $125 scholarship. Enter your video by 11:59 PM on Sept. 13 to qualify.

We are looking for videos that:

• SHOW us what back to school looks like for you. Show us where you learn, whether that is your home, a traditional classroom, an outdoor environment, or something else entirely.
• TELL us how you are using your strength and power to get through this challenging time in pursuit of your education.
• TELL us what conversations you’ve had with your family and friends about returning to school, and how you feel about it.
• TELL us what emotions you are feeling as you prepare to go back to school in the current environment.
• TELL us why you are committed to your education, despite the challenges. What will an education help you do?

You must be attending school and between the ages of 14-26 to qualify for the scholarship prizes.

Upload your video and tell us a little about yourself here (or scroll on for examples from around the country):