We have extended the TEAM Westport/Westport Library Teen Diversity Essay Contest submission deadline from midnight February 27 to midnight March 6, 2017. This extension is taking place because our announcement of the anonymity option took place last week during school vacation at many schools in our eligibility area. As a result, many students did not learn about the new option until they returned to school yesterday, and we wanted to give all whose decision might have been affected by this option ample time to participate. Additionally, all entrants have the right to revise and resubmit their essay until the submission deadline is reached.
TEEN DIVERSITY ESSAY CONTEST 2017
As the nation faces historic social shifts relating to race and identity, young people will find themselves at the crossroads of a different America. In order to increase awareness, foster understanding and promote understanding in this arena, TEAM Westport and The Westport Library are co-sponsoring the fourth annual Teen Diversity Essay Contest for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 who attend Staples High School or another school in Westport, or reside in Westport and attend school elsewhere.
TEAM Westport and the Westport Library have announced that applicants who submit an essay for the 2017 Diversity Essay Contest will have the option of remaining anonymous to the general public. At the April 3 public ceremony, the winning essays of any students who have chosen private acknowledgement of their accomplishment will be read by contest judges, while those who choose public acknowledgement will be able to read their essays themselves. All winning essays will be published, with anonymity provided to those students who chose that option.
The national and international coverage surrounding this year’s TEAM Westport Teen Diversity Essay Contest has provoked verbal and written harassment of some Committee members and Town of Westport employees and personnel. The majority of this type of correspondence appears to have originated from out of town and, generally, from out of state. There is concern, however, that this increased coverage may have made potential contestants reticent to submit an essay for fear of similar harassment. Because the well-being of young people in the community is a priority, the essay sponsors have determined that the option of anonymity is appropriate.
TEAM Westport and the Westport Library remind residents that the contest is open to students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 who attend Staples High School or another school in Westport, or reside in Westport and attend school elsewhere. The deadline to submit essays is March 6, 2017. Essay Topic: The focus of this fourth essay contest is the issue of 'white privilege,’ which surfaced as a topic during the recent presidential election. This year’s invitation states, “In 1,000 words or less, describe how you understand the term ‘white privilege’. To what extent do you think this privilege exists? What impact do you think it has had in your life—whatever your racial or ethnic identity—and in our society more broadly?"
Essay Process Click here for Contest Application. Essays are due March 6, 2017. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Westport Library on April 3, 2017. Subject to the volume and caliber of entries received, at the discretion of the judges up to three prizes will be awarded. The first prize is $1,000, the second is $750, and the third prize is $500.
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