Entries are now being accepted for the annual Independence Essay Competition, which will be part of celebrations throughout the Florida communities.
Launched by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) in Miami, the contest is open to all Jamaican children, first and second generation, and residing in Florida State, The deadline for participating entries is Thursday, July 26th. The winner in each category is awarded with a plaque from the Jamaica Consulate General.
The merit to this project is to advance community awareness while exposing our youth to their Jamaican culture and heritage. Applicants are given the opportunity to reflect on the nation’s history and culture, look at the impact of their roots on their upbringing, positive events that have catapulted Jamaica in the global arena, as they research and prepare compositions.
Consul General to the Southeast USA, Ricardo Allicock encouraged children in the Diaspora to take interest in the annual essay competition continuing that the Consul General continuing that the occasion would inspire young Jamaicans to more seriously consider learning the island of their origin.
Students can choose from a selection of topics related to the culture and history of Jamaica, as well as looking at issues affecting the Jamaican Diaspora. Some of these include community leadership, entertainment, education, history and culture, geography and national development.
Applicants must be between five and eighteen years of age and resident here in Florida. There are three age categories for the responses five to eight (5-8); nine to twelve (9-12); and thirteen to eighteen (13-18).
For information on entering the contest, interested persons can contact the local JIS office at the Jamaica Consulate General in Miami located at 25 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 609, telephone (305-374-8431 ext. 112) or email [email protected].
JAMAICA INDEPENDENCE ESSAY COMPETITON –2007
Essay topics are as follows:
1. Write about your two favorite places in Jamaica. These could include historic landmarks, places of recreation, cities, or even your family home. Name them and describe why they are your favorite.
2. How do you think Jamaicans in the Diaspora can best contribute to our nation’s achievement of developed country status?
3. Do you know of a Jamaican group or Jamaican individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their community? If so, write about their contribution and its impact on that community in which he or she resides.
4. Which one of Jamaica’s seven national heroes you would want to be and why?
5. Which Jamaican athlete is the most famous and why?
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Each entrant must choose only one topic to which the response must NOT exceed two pages and should be double-spaced.
Essays must be mailed to the Jamaica Information Service, 25 SE 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 Thursday, July 26th.
