The American Immigration Council is proud to sponsor the 14th annual “Celebrate America” Creative Writing Contest. The contest inspires educators to bring U.S. Immigration history and lessons into their classrooms and gives fifth graders the opportunity to explore America as a nation of immigrants.
Past winners have documented the experience of immigrants who have left their homelands in search of a more promising future in America, spoken of their immigration experiences or reflected on their ancestors or parents.
Fifth grade students enter their work in local contests which are sponsored by chapters of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Each chapter forwards the local winning entry to the National Competition where entries are reviewed by a distinguished panel including U.S. Senators, award winning authors
and noted journalists. Winning entries will then be printed in the Congressional Record.
The grand prize winner (and two guests) will receive an all‐expenses‐paid trip to the Council’s Annual Benefit Dinner where the winner will be recognized and will recite the winning piece. Local and national judges are looking for student writing that is original, thoughtful and speaks to the Council’s mission to educate the public about the benefits of immigration in our society.
If you are interested in participating, please contact your local contest coordinator. More information can be found on the Council’s website at www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org.
HOW IT WORKS
The Creative Writing Contest kicks off in the fall or early winter (depending on the local contest rules) as volunteer attorneys from local AILA chapters visit teachers and classrooms. The attorneys give classroom presentations on immigration to inform students and teachers about the important role immigration plays in our society. The attorneys also explain contest details and get students excited about participating. In the winter and early spring, teachers submit student entries to local AILA chapters who then select and honor a winner(s) on the local level. In April, local AILA chapters send winning entries to the Council, which we forward to our panel
of national celebrity judges. The top national winner is announced in early May. For a more detailed schedule, check out: www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org.
THE NATIONAL GRAND PRIZE
The winner and three guests receive an all expenses paid trip to The Council’s Annual Benefit Dinner where he/she is honored and reads his/her winning entry aloud. This year’s Annual Benefit will take place June 17, 2011 in San Diego, California. The winner also receives a travel stipend, engraved plaque, his/her winning entry printed in the Congressional Record and a flag flown over the Capitol in his/her honor.
THEME
“Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants”
ENTRANTS
5th graders
FORMAT
Any written entry (essay, poem, story, interview, etc.) that reflects the theme. Entry should be submitted to your contest coordinator (some local contests require electronic submissions, so please check with your coordinator).
WORD COUNT
Up to 500 words
JUDGING CRITERIA
Theme, presentation, creativity and message
CONTACT YOUR CONTEST COORDINATOR
To contact a local Contest Coordinator, visit the Council’s Community Education Center webpage at www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org or email teacher@immcouncil.org.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
•Cover page must include student’s name, address, grade, age, school and telephone number
•Proof of enrollment in the fifth grade—such as report cards, transcripts or letters from the school principal
•A Release Form must be signed by contestant and parent or guardian
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
If you are interested in engaging your classroom in a thoughtful dialogue on immigration, contact your local contest coordinator by visiting www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org. Teachers should mark their calendars and set aside time this fall or winter to allow contest coordinators to visit your classrooms. Teachers can also sign up to receive updates on the “Celebrate America” Fifth Grade Creative Writing Contest by www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org.
The American Immigration Council’s Community Education Center will keep teachers updated throughout the year on contest guidelines, deadlines and general contest information. The Community Education Center will also keep teachers up to date on the latest in immigration curriculum as well as other programming.
More information here.
Past winners have documented the experience of immigrants who have left their homelands in search of a more promising future in America, spoken of their immigration experiences or reflected on their ancestors or parents.
Fifth grade students enter their work in local contests which are sponsored by chapters of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Each chapter forwards the local winning entry to the National Competition where entries are reviewed by a distinguished panel including U.S. Senators, award winning authors
and noted journalists. Winning entries will then be printed in the Congressional Record.
The grand prize winner (and two guests) will receive an all‐expenses‐paid trip to the Council’s Annual Benefit Dinner where the winner will be recognized and will recite the winning piece. Local and national judges are looking for student writing that is original, thoughtful and speaks to the Council’s mission to educate the public about the benefits of immigration in our society.
If you are interested in participating, please contact your local contest coordinator. More information can be found on the Council’s website at www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org.
HOW IT WORKS
The Creative Writing Contest kicks off in the fall or early winter (depending on the local contest rules) as volunteer attorneys from local AILA chapters visit teachers and classrooms. The attorneys give classroom presentations on immigration to inform students and teachers about the important role immigration plays in our society. The attorneys also explain contest details and get students excited about participating. In the winter and early spring, teachers submit student entries to local AILA chapters who then select and honor a winner(s) on the local level. In April, local AILA chapters send winning entries to the Council, which we forward to our panel
of national celebrity judges. The top national winner is announced in early May. For a more detailed schedule, check out: www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org.
THE NATIONAL GRAND PRIZE
The winner and three guests receive an all expenses paid trip to The Council’s Annual Benefit Dinner where he/she is honored and reads his/her winning entry aloud. This year’s Annual Benefit will take place June 17, 2011 in San Diego, California. The winner also receives a travel stipend, engraved plaque, his/her winning entry printed in the Congressional Record and a flag flown over the Capitol in his/her honor.
THEME
“Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants”
ENTRANTS
5th graders
FORMAT
Any written entry (essay, poem, story, interview, etc.) that reflects the theme. Entry should be submitted to your contest coordinator (some local contests require electronic submissions, so please check with your coordinator).
WORD COUNT
Up to 500 words
JUDGING CRITERIA
Theme, presentation, creativity and message
CONTACT YOUR CONTEST COORDINATOR
To contact a local Contest Coordinator, visit the Council’s Community Education Center webpage at www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org or email teacher@immcouncil.org.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
•Cover page must include student’s name, address, grade, age, school and telephone number
•Proof of enrollment in the fifth grade—such as report cards, transcripts or letters from the school principal
•A Release Form must be signed by contestant and parent or guardian
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
If you are interested in engaging your classroom in a thoughtful dialogue on immigration, contact your local contest coordinator by visiting www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org. Teachers should mark their calendars and set aside time this fall or winter to allow contest coordinators to visit your classrooms. Teachers can also sign up to receive updates on the “Celebrate America” Fifth Grade Creative Writing Contest by www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org.
The American Immigration Council’s Community Education Center will keep teachers updated throughout the year on contest guidelines, deadlines and general contest information. The Community Education Center will also keep teachers up to date on the latest in immigration curriculum as well as other programming.
More information here.
