Call for Writers: Juneteenth Essay Contest
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.
Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. And here in Lexington, it is a time for communities to come together.
Essay Contest Purpose: The Davidson County Branch NAACP Education Committee is striving to improve and increase our county residents’ awareness of the importance of celebrating Juneteenth. We are hoping that by co-sponsoring this Essay Contest, students and adults will be engaged and encouraged to talk to their teachers, parents and friends in an effort to learn more about the origin and significance of this celebration as it relates to Freedom and the hope of enjoying all the rights and privileges as an American citizen for people of color. Additionally, we want all individuals to recognize the importance of seeing and telling the African American experience in America as accurately as possible. We are hoping that all citizens would be inspired by the essay contest to seek and ensure that within their area of influence, that they would always advocate for justices and equality for all people.
Contest Rules:
Any Davidson County elementary, middle school, high school student or adult citizen is eligible to enter the contest.
Essays must be typed, double spaced, 12 font using Microsoft Word format on 8½ x 11 paper.
Include the participants name, address, telephone number, email address, and name of school and grade if applicable.
Essays must be submitted individually.
Elementary school essays should be between 150 to 250 words.
Middle school essays should be between 250 to 500 words.
High school essays should be between 500 to 750 words.
Adult essays should be between 750 to 1000 words.
Essays will be judged on content that best represents and depicts the essay question provided for the assigned age group. Spelling, grammar and sentence structure will also be factored into the judging process. Essays are judged carefully on the basis of our established criteria and compliance with the rules of the contest. A panel of judges will select the final winners.
Prizes:
High School Students: 1st place-$50; 2nd place-$30; 3rd place-$20.
Middle School Students: 1st place-$50; 2nd place-$30; 3rd place-$20.
Elementary School Students: 1st place-$50; 2nd place-$30; 3rd place-$20.
Adult: 1st Place - $50, 2nd place - $30, 3rd place - $20
Prizes will be awarded during the reading of the essay at one of Lexington’s City Locations (TBA). Winners will be notified via email and or by phone.
Deadline:
Essays must be mailed or submitted electronically by 5:00 PM, Friday, July 18, 2022 to: NAACP Education Committee Chairperson, Attn: Lester E. Smith 4583 Brimmer Place Dr. Kernersville, NC 27284 or electronically to Lessmith1957@live.com or afoygroup@gmail.com
Publication Permission:
By entering the contest, the essays become the property of the NAACP Education Committee and may be used for display in the community and/or media by the committee. The entry may not be returned. The selected essay may be digitally altered to assure quality reproduction.
For more information, contact Rev. Lester Smith (EC Chair) at (850-225-0242) or Tina Royal (Anything for our Youth) at (336-250-4606). We can also be contacted at lessmith1957@live.com or afoygroup@gmail.com for additional information.
Sponsored by: NAACP Lexington Branch #5383, and Anything For Our Youth (AFOY)
“It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men”
Fredrick Douglas
