Institute of Caribbean Studies
National, Caribbean-American Heritage Month – Youth Essay Competition
2007 Essay Topic: How Should Caribbean Americans Participate in the American Democratic Process?
Contact: Princess Beckford, PhD
404-210-6349
princessbeckford@hotmail.com
Mail essays to:
Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition, Inc
Post Office Box 392
Atlanta, GA 30301
ENTRIES MUST BE POST MARKED NO LATER THAN MAY 15, 2007
The Institute of Caribbean Studies announces the first Annual, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition. The competition is designed to commemorate the historic passage of a Congressional Resolution declaring June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The Institute is partnering with area schools and colleges and organizations such as the University of the West Indies Alumni Association and others across the country to organize state/regional competitions. The winning entry for each regional/local competition will be judged in the national level competition and the grand winner will receive
The essay title is: “How should Caribbean Americans participate in the American democratic process” and the competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students in Georgia who have a Caribbean heritage as defined by the competition rules. The closing date for the competition is May 1, 2007 and winning entries in the state/regional competition will be announced in June. Information about the Institute, Caribbean-American Heritage month activities and the official entry form may be downloaded here.
Essay Competition Rules
1. The essay competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students who reside in Georgia and have at least one parent or guardian who was born in the Caribbean.
2. Entries must be submitted as an individual effort, and must be original unpublished work. Essays should not be concurrently submitted for other competitions. Only one essay will be accepted from each author
3. Entries in this essay competition must be titled: “How should Caribbean Americans participate in the American Democratic process”. While the content of the essay is of primary concern, proper grammar and spelling will also be factors in the judging.
4. The essays should be between 1,000 to 1,500 words, typewritten, double-spaced, 8 ½” by 11” (letter-size) paper with all pages numbered and securely stapled. The absolute minimum and maximum number of words must be observed. Participants should submit one original and five copies of the essay.
5. The essay must be written in English and all entries must include a bibliography.
6. Entries that do not comply with any of the competition rules will be disqualified. A separate entry form and cover sheet with the following details must be included: essay title, writer's name, grade and word count. The writer's name should not appear in the main essay
7. The coalition and editorial board of the Institute of Caribbean Studies reserves the right to edit essays selected for publication. All essays become the property of the Institute and will not be returned.
8. The essays will be assessed in confidence by an independent panel of judges. No appeals will be entertained. Results of the competition will be announced in June 2007. The winning entry for each regional/local competition will be judged in the national level competition and the grand winner will receive tickets for two to a Caribbean destination. The national winner will be announced in June 2007.
9. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place entries. All awards and recognition will be solely at the discretion of the judging panel.
10. Award winners will be informed by mail and appropriate presentations of prizes made.
Prizes: 1st place: $500.00; 2nd place: $250.00; 3rd place: $100.00
Essays should be mailed to Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition, Inc. P.O Box 392, Atlanta, GA 30301. Entries must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2007
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