MIAMI – The Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami is now accepting entries for its Annual Essay Competition to mark Jamaica’s Independence Anniversary.
The competition is open to all Jamaican children, first and second generation, residing in Florida State, and forms part of the celebrations to observe the nation’s 52nd anniversary of Independence throughout the Florida communities.
There are several topics of choice for the competition, and the merit in this project is to advance Diaspora Community awareness in a State that promotes diversity, while exposing our youth to their Jamaican culture and heritage.
As they research and prepare compositions, applicants are given the opportunity to reflect on the nation’s history and culture; record how their Jamaican roots has impacted their upbringing; and the positive events that have catapulted the image of Jamaica and her outstanding Diaspora in the global arena.
According to Consul General Franz Hall, “Children of the Diaspora are being invited and encouraged to participate in the essay competition, to be inspired by our island’s rich history and cultural heritage and to take pride in the many accomplishments at home and abroad by the people of the island of our origin”.
The deadline for the submission of entries is Tuesday, July 15th. The winner in each category will be awarded with a plaque by the Consul General.
Eligible students can choose from a selection of topics related to the island’s cultural heritage some of which include community leadership, entertainment, education, history, cultural heritage, geography and national development.
Applicants must be between five and eighteen years of age, normally resident in the State of Florida, and submit entries in one of three age categories – five to eight (5-8); nine to twelve (9-12); and thirteen to eighteen (13-18).
For information on the competition interested persons may contact the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami located at 25 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 609, telephone (305-374-8431 ext. 232); email [email protected] or visit the Consulate’s website at www.jamaicacgmiami.org
Essay topics:
1. Identify a special location in Jamaica – this could include a historic landmark, a place of recreation, a town or city, or even your family home. Describe this place and explain the reason why it stands out in your mind.
2. Identify an outstanding Jamaican individual or group in the global Diaspora who has made an impact by representing Jamaica’s image positively in their community or by their contribution to the development of their homeland, Jamaica.
3. Describe how your Jamaican heritage has impacted your development as an individual.
4. How would you like to see Jamaica’s Independence celebrated in your community?
5. Describe how best you as a person (youth) of Jamaican descent, can contribute to the development of Jamaicans in the Diaspora, through culture, heritage or legacy project.
• Each entrant must choose only one topic. The response must NOT exceed two pages and should be double-spaced.
• Essays can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the Consulate General of Jamaica, 25 Southeast Second Avenue – Ste 609, Miami, FLA 33131. Each entry must be accompanied by the contestant’s name, address, telephone number and age. There are three age categories for entrants: five to eight (5-8); nine to twelve (9-12); thirteen to eighteen (13-18).
• The deadline for entries is Tuesday, July 15th.
