Deadline: 15 April 2012
KAC is organizing the 4.29 Center Essay Contest, this year commemorating the Twentieth Anniversary of the 1992 LA Riots. Los Angeles is a city made up in majority by minorities. Of more than 600,000 students enrolled in the LA Unified School District, 40% are registered as English Learners. This diversity can bring with it joy, and community, but also complication and tension. The 1992 LA Riots demonstrated a need for LA residents to more deeply engage each other and local government in conversation that promotes understanding across ethnic, cultural, and economic differences. There is much to be learned from growing up in Los Angeles, which is why, this year, the essay contest theme is “Diversity is our strength.”
PROMPT: Share a story of a time when diversity became a benefit, or was helpful to you in some way. Write about something important you learned from a person who is not like you. This person can come from a different income level, age, ethnicity, and/or neighborhood. Try to focus on big differences—this person may seem like you in many ways, but uphold different political or social beliefs, speak a different language at home, practice different cultural holidays, or follow a different religion. How does the lesson you learned demonstrate the theme, “Diversity is our strength”?
This essay is an opportunity for you to reflect on people in your life who make you see things differently. You must focus on a personal experience you have had with another person. I encourage you to think deeply on the relationships in your life and the people you meet. Are there any people you have met who intrigue you, perhaps make you feel a little bit uncomfortable, or out of your depth? Think about your teachers, your neighbors, friends of friends, even distant relatives who are older than you, who align with a different set of cultural values, or speak a different language. These are the interactions that will help you to grow in your understanding of the diversity of human experience.
Who can enter
Those who win an award, but cannot attend the Awards Reception, will receive 50% of their scholarship prize amount.
CONTEST RULES
Essays will be judged in five (5) categories:
Judges award points based on the below criteria, and the essays with the highest points win. The overall highest point scorer will be awarded the grand prize.
FORM (20 points)
1. Grammar (10pts): Essay has been proofread for spelling, syntax, punctuation, etc.
2. Organization (10pts): Sequence of ideas from one paragraph to the next is clear and logical.
CONTENT (60 points)
1. Main Ideas (30pts): Theme of contest is clearly addressed.
2. Supporting Ideas (30pts): Main ideas are thoroughly discussed and supported with relevant details.
IMPRESSIONS (20 points)
1. Prognosis (10pts): Essay highlights the essence of the contest theme.
2. Personal Reaction (10pts): How much did each judge enjoy your essay?
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 100
In each of the five categories (Grades 7 & 8, Grades 9 & 10, Grades 11 & 12, Current Undergrads, and Limited English Proficient), judges will award multiple contestants with cash scholarships ranging from $100, $200, $300, to $500, for a total of $10,000 awarded. The Grand Prize of $1,000 can be won by a contestant in any category. The Grand Prize winner will NOT be eligible to receive an award in their category in addition to the Grand Prize.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: esther@kacla.org
For submissions: Essay must be submitted via email to esther@kacla.org.
Website: http://kacla.org/
KAC is organizing the 4.29 Center Essay Contest, this year commemorating the Twentieth Anniversary of the 1992 LA Riots. Los Angeles is a city made up in majority by minorities. Of more than 600,000 students enrolled in the LA Unified School District, 40% are registered as English Learners. This diversity can bring with it joy, and community, but also complication and tension. The 1992 LA Riots demonstrated a need for LA residents to more deeply engage each other and local government in conversation that promotes understanding across ethnic, cultural, and economic differences. There is much to be learned from growing up in Los Angeles, which is why, this year, the essay contest theme is “Diversity is our strength.”
PROMPT: Share a story of a time when diversity became a benefit, or was helpful to you in some way. Write about something important you learned from a person who is not like you. This person can come from a different income level, age, ethnicity, and/or neighborhood. Try to focus on big differences—this person may seem like you in many ways, but uphold different political or social beliefs, speak a different language at home, practice different cultural holidays, or follow a different religion. How does the lesson you learned demonstrate the theme, “Diversity is our strength”?
This essay is an opportunity for you to reflect on people in your life who make you see things differently. You must focus on a personal experience you have had with another person. I encourage you to think deeply on the relationships in your life and the people you meet. Are there any people you have met who intrigue you, perhaps make you feel a little bit uncomfortable, or out of your depth? Think about your teachers, your neighbors, friends of friends, even distant relatives who are older than you, who align with a different set of cultural values, or speak a different language. These are the interactions that will help you to grow in your understanding of the diversity of human experience.
Who can enter
- Grades 7 - 12: Student must attend school in the County of Los Angeles.
- Undergraduate Student: Student must be currently registered as an undergraduate at a college or university in the United States.
- Limited English Proficient (Grade 7 - 12): Student must be currently registered at a school in the County of Los Angeles.
Those who win an award, but cannot attend the Awards Reception, will receive 50% of their scholarship prize amount.
CONTEST RULES
- The essay must be submitted via email by no later than 11:59 pm on April 15, 2012.
Judges award points based on the below criteria, and the essays with the highest points win. The overall highest point scorer will be awarded the grand prize.
FORM (20 points)
1. Grammar (10pts): Essay has been proofread for spelling, syntax, punctuation, etc.
2. Organization (10pts): Sequence of ideas from one paragraph to the next is clear and logical.
CONTENT (60 points)
1. Main Ideas (30pts): Theme of contest is clearly addressed.
2. Supporting Ideas (30pts): Main ideas are thoroughly discussed and supported with relevant details.
IMPRESSIONS (20 points)
1. Prognosis (10pts): Essay highlights the essence of the contest theme.
2. Personal Reaction (10pts): How much did each judge enjoy your essay?
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 100
In each of the five categories (Grades 7 & 8, Grades 9 & 10, Grades 11 & 12, Current Undergrads, and Limited English Proficient), judges will award multiple contestants with cash scholarships ranging from $100, $200, $300, to $500, for a total of $10,000 awarded. The Grand Prize of $1,000 can be won by a contestant in any category. The Grand Prize winner will NOT be eligible to receive an award in their category in addition to the Grand Prize.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: esther@kacla.org
For submissions: Essay must be submitted via email to esther@kacla.org.
Website: http://kacla.org/
