New America Contest Highlights the Need for Increased Focus on America’s Children
The New America Foundation’s Workforce and Family Program is launching a contest for high school seniors to provide their views on the best way to improve the lives of America’s young people.
Starting this fall in Washington D.C., New America will be offering $1,000 to the student who best answers the question, “You have just been elected the President of the United States. What is the most important thing you will do to improve the lives of America's children?"
“This contest provides a unique opportunity for students to articulate their hopes for improving children’s lives,” stated Rev. David Gray, Director of the Workforce and Family Program. “It is the student’s opportunity to tell parents, teachers, and Washington policymakers what America’s priorities should be.”
The contest is open to all public and private high school seniors in Washington, D.C. this year. Essays must be no longer than 600 words and must also be accompanied by the Official Entry Form (available at the link below). The Official Entry Form must be signed by the student, a parent or guardian, and a teacher from the entrant’s school certifying that this is an original essay. New America is now accepting entries and the deadline for submission is December 15, 2007.
The top 25 essays as chosen by New America staff will receive recognition as semi-finalists. Ten finalists will receive special recognition. The winning essay will be selected from the finalists by a panel of distinguished judges based on clarity of thought, creativity, practicality, potential to improve the lives of children and potential to draw attention to policies that help young people. The winner will be announced in June 2008 and will receive a $1,000 prize. The winner’s essay will be published and distributed by the New America Foundation.
For complete contest guidelines and rules, as well as the Official Entry Form, please visit New America’s website: www.newamerica.net/programs/workforce_and_family/essay_contest.
“Our goal is to expand the contest nationally coinciding with the 2008 presidential campaign,” stated Gray. “We believe that there needs to be greater focus in America on the needs of children and we hope that over the next two years, as America looks to elect its next President, that this contest can draw some attention to them.”
For more information, please contact Erin Drankoski at (202) 997-8727 or at drankoski@newamerica.net.
Related Programs: Workforce and Family Program
Topics: Family & Children
