2021 OLIVIA LETTS
LANSING JUNETEENTH
ESSAY COMPETITION & SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
APPLICATION PERIOD: March 8 - April 24, 2021
Featuring
Virtual Juneteenth “Preparing the Essay” Workshops
Presenters: Juneteenth Education Sub-Committee Members
Wednesday, March 24 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
&
Wednesday, April 14 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
CATEGORY I
Grades 6th
Essay Contest
Award Values:
1st Place - $75 (value)
2nd Place - $50 (value)
Topic: Write your 300-400 word essay on the following:
-
What is Juneteenth?
-
What family member or person did you ask about Juneteenth and how was the holiday explained?
CATEGORY II
Grades 7th & 8th
Essay Contest
Award Values:
1st Place - $100 (value)
2nd Place - $75 (value)
Topic: Write your 400-500 word essay on the following:
-
What is Juneteenth?
-
Why do we celebrate this event?
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Reflect on the historical significances of Juneteenth to the Black/African American culture in the United States.
CATEGORY III
Grades 9th & 10th
Essay Contest
Award Values:
1st Place - $200
2nd Place - $150
Topic: Write your 500-600 word essay on the following:
-
What is Juneteenth?
-
What is the historical significance for celebrating Juneteenth?
-
What connections can be drawn between Juneteenth and modern-day social justice movements in the United States?
CATEGORY IV
Grades 11th & 12th
Juneteenth Bellamy-Taylor
Academic Talent Scholarship
Award Values:
1st Place - $500 (scholarship*)
2nd Place - $350 (scholarship*)
*$100 from each scholarship will be applied towards a gift certificate to Rush Investment Unlimited to help pursue other avenues to pay for post-secondary education.
Academic Talent Scholarship
Award Values:
1st Place - Essay Winner (scholarship**)
2nd Place - Essay Winner (scholarship**)
Scholarship Value - Up to $30,000
**Awarding of the Olivet College Academic Talent Scholarships is based on the student’s admittance to and subsequent attendance at Olivet College. (Tuition Only)
Topic: Write your 600-800 word essay on the following:
-
Explain the historical context that led to Juneteenth.
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What is Juneteenth and why is celebrating it more important today than ever before?
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Draw a connection between the Juneteenth celebration of freedom and other cultural celebrations of freedom or independence.
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Reflect on why it is important that we continue to recognize and cultivate knowledge and appreciation for other cultural celebrations of freedoms across the world.
DEADLINE:
Essay submissions can be submitted online (below), or at any CADL branch location from March 8 – April 24, 2021. Entries received after April 24, 2021 will not be eligible and will not be returned.
Contest Award Program:
The Juneteenth essay award program will be held virtually on June 17, 2021. Additional details will be provided.
Information:
For more information please send your question or special request by using the Contact Page on the Juneteenth website. (This presentation is not sponsored by the Capital Area District Libraries. Library staff cannot assist with contest detail questions.)
Please read contest details and rules thoroughly before submitting your entry.
Entries my be submitted by printing and completing the paper form
or the online entry submission process.
The Lansing Juneteenth Celebration is a project of Progressive Empowerment Education Resource Services - P.E.E.R.S. 501(c)(3). The Juneteenth Essay Contest is presented in partnership with Olivet College.