FT. LAUDERDALE – Transforming America Through Interaction (“TATI”), Inc. has joined the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (“GCACC”) to partner with the Institute of Caribbean Studies’ (“ICS”) National Commemorative Committee on its fourth Annual, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition.
National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Youth Essay 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 Transforming America Through Interaction (“TATI”), Inc., the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (“GCACC”), the University of the West Indies Alumni Association and others across the country to organize regional/local competitions. 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 essay title is “If you were running for President of the United States, what are the top 3 issues that you would put on your agenda?” and the competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students who reside in Broward and Miami-Dade counties and have a Caribbean heritage as defined by the competition rules. The closing date for the competition is Friday, May 9, 2008 and winning entries in the local/regional competition will be announced on June 1, 2008.
Information about the Institute and national Caribbean-American Heritage month activities may be obtained at www.icsdc.org.
“I am proud to be a part of this very important tradition that has been established in our community,” says Tanya Ragbeer, President of TATI, Inc, Immediate Past President of the GCACC and ICS Liaison. “This is a very important partnership, and this tradition will enable us for years to come, to reveal the caliber of intellect that we have in our youth as we continue to tap into and expose their talents. It is important that we continue to provide the next generation with the necessary tools that will promote and reward for excellence, as well as provoke a sense of civic duty.”
“The GCACC is proud to be a part of this continuing effort to recognize and reward talented students of Caribbean American Heritage,” added Albert Lettman. “It is imperative that we find, encourage and recognize the most talented students in our community, because they are the ones that we need to be the leaders and “movers and shakers” of the next generation.” Lettman is the current President of the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
“As we continue the journey along the path of educating each other about the richness of Caribbean Heritage we must reaffirm our commitment to the traditional values that are our Heritage, to turn back the challenges that abound, and to embrace the opportunities created as a result of the change processes.” Says Glenn Joseph, Executive Vice President and Coordinator for the National Commemorative Advisory Council and National Commemorative Committee, and Past President of the GCACC.
Also on board the ICS alliance is Commissioner Hazelle Rogers of the City of Lauderdale Lakes, and Board Member of the GCACC.
Essay Competition Rules
1. The essay competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students who reside in Broward and Miami-Dade counties 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: “If you were running for President of the United States, what are the top 3 issues that you would put on your agenda?”. 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. The absolute minimum or maximum number of words must be observed.
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, sex, grade and word count. Neither writer’s name, nor the writer’s country of Caribbean heritage should appear in the main essay.
7. The 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 on June 1, 2008. 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 on June 30, 2008.
9. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place entries. Fourth and fifth place entries will be recognized with an honorable mention award. 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; 4th and 5th place: honorable mention: $50.00
Essays should be emailed in MS Word format, to attn: Student Affairs Director, TATI, Inc.: [email protected].
Entries must be submitted no later than May 9, 2008
