Líderes de Hoy National Essay Contest
The winners of the 2008 Lideres de Hoy National Essay Contest are: $10,000 Scholarships Luis Ruiz of Bluffton, South Carolina Carlos Blanco of Webster, Texas $5,000 Scholarships Karina Ruiz-Vargas of Lincoln, Nebraska Thailandia Alafitta of Houston, Texas We will be featuring the winners and their essays in the following weeks. There are many other national essay contest scholarship opportunities. To learn more click here. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 37% of Hispanics do not finish high school, compared to the national average of 15%. Moreover, statistics show that Hispanic students do not perform as well as White non-Hispanics, Blacks, or Asians. They have higher dropout rates, lower test scores, and fewer college graduates, leading to less involvement in community affairs. However, there are many young Latinos who are exemplary in their leadership and dedication to both their own educational success and the empowerment of their communities. These facts have charged the Allstate Insurance Company to support initiatives that empower the Hispanic community in many ways, including through the Líderes de Hoy essay contest. The Líderes de Hoy essay contest is an Allstate Insurance Company and National Council of La Raza (NCLR) initiative that recognizes and celebrates the work of Hispanic youth leaders making a difference in their communities. Essay Topic The Líderes de Hoy essay contest provides an opportunity for young Latinos to share their experiences in dealing with discrimination. Essays should answer the following question: In your role as a young Latino/a leader, how have you taken action to alleviate discrimination in your community and promote tolerance and inclusion? What have you learned from these experiences? How do you plan to use this knowledge in the future? Essays should also include examples of individual leadership or work with a community organization or group. Supplemental materials including but not limited to media clips, photos, and videos will also be accepted. Who is Eligible? Students of Hispanic descent currently enrolled as college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors, or high school seniors planning to attend college in fall 2008, can participate in the Líderes de Hoy essay contest. Submission Guidelines Essay submissions will be accepted through an electronic application process. Supporting documents must be mailed. Please read the Rules and Guidelines for complete instructions. o The release form o The high school information form (high school students only) Mail to: Líderes de Hoy Essay Contest National Council of La Raza Attn: Denise Pernick 1126 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Faxes and emails for the release forms and recommendation will not be accepted. Selection Process Four winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges. All winners will be notified by Friday, September 12, 2008. The decisions of the judges are final. Prizes There will be four winners. Winners will receive a scholarship from Allstate Insurance Company for college education expenses. Two grand prize winners will each receive a one-time payment of $10,000. The other two winners will each receive a one-time payment of $5,000. Deadline All submissions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, August 15, 2008. The recommended postmark date is Monday, August 11, 2008. The Líderes de Hoy essay contest is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, or misdirected mail. Allstate Insurance Company reserves the right to amend or stop the contest without advance notice. Allstate Insurance Company encourages all youth to strive for academic excellence and become involved in their communities. Through its partnership with NCLR, Allstate is providing Hispanic youth with access to the resources and training needed to become the next generation of Hispanic leaders. Register Now! Rules and Guidelines Release Form ArticlesYoung Leaders Inspire National Essay ContestAccording to the U.S. Department of Education, 37% of Hispanics do not finish high school, and face many other challenges. But there are many young Latinos are are dedicated to their own educational success and empowerment of their communities. These facts charged Allstate to partner with NCLR to recognize and celebrate the work of young Latino leaders making a difference in their communities. |
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