Transforming America Through Interaction (“TATI”), Inc. has once again joined the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition (GCAC Coalition) and the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (“GCACC”) to partner with the Institute of Caribbean Studies’ (“ICS”) National Commemorative Committee on its seventh annual National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition.
This competition is a national activity and is geared toward high school students of the 11th and 12th grade level.
“This is a very important year as two great Caribbean countries prepare to celebrate their 50th Anniversary of Independence,” says Tanya Ragbeer, President of TATI, Inc, Past President of the GCACC and ICS Liaison. “We are proud to not only to commemorate this fact, but to also engage our youth in dialogue so that they can feel a part of the celebration. Through the essay competition, we continue to create venue for the youth of the Diaspora to pay homage to the forerunners of our past, to honor our outstanding leaders of the present, and to create an awareness that paves the way for potential leaders of tomorrow.”
“As Jamaica and the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago celebrate 50 years of independence, we want students of Caribbean heritage to recognize and appreciate this milestone achievement by both countries,” said Andrew Azebeokhai, President of the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition, and Director of UNIFEST.
“As Caribbean Americans we need to be aware of the impact of migration on our home country and the United States. This will allow us to make informed decisions about the interaction of the Caribbean Diaspora in this country and our country of origin,” said Albert Lettman, President of the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Also on board the ICS alliance is State Representative Hazelle Rogers of District 94.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition
The Institute of Caribbean Studies announces the sixth 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 Transforming America Through Interaction (“TATI”), Inc., the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition (“GCAC Coalition”), 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 essay topic is "Over the past 50 years, the net-migration rate for the Caribbean has been one of the highest world-wide. As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the Caribbean countries of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and the island of Jamaica, how do you feel this migration may have positively impacted both the US, and the countries of origin?"
The competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students who reside in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties and who are of Caribbean heritage as defined by the competition rules.
The closing date for the competition is Friday, May 4, 2012 and winning entries in the local/regional competition will be announced at UNIFEST in Lauderdale Lakes, on Sunday, May 20, 2012.
Information about the Institute and national Caribbean-American Heritage month activities may be obtained at WWW.ICSDC.ORG.
Essay Competition Rules
1. The essay competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students who reside in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties and were either born in the Caribbean and/or 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: “Over the past 50 years, the net-migration rate for the Caribbean is one of the highest world-wide. As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the Caribbean countries of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and the island of Jamaica, how do you feel this migration may have positively impacted both the US, and the countries of origin?" 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. Margins must be 1 inch. 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, gender, 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 and/or TATI, Inc. reserves the right to edit essays selected for publication. All essays become the property of the Institute and/or TATI, Inc. 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 local competition will be announced on May 20, 2012.
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
Essays should be mailed, or emailed in MS Word format to attn: Student Affairs Director, TATI, Inc. Entries must be submitted no later than May 1, 2012.
Contact: Student Affairs Director, TATI, Inc.
P. O. Box 100104, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310
Telephone: 954-802-4291
Email: STUDENTAFFAIRS@TATICARIBBEAN.COM
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