TEAM Westport to Sponsor Essay Contest

TEAM Westport is sponsoring an essay contest for students in grades 9-12 who attend school in Westport or reside in Westport and attend school elsewhere.

The intent is to promote among young people a greater awareness of multicultural issues. The Westport Library is a co-sponsor of the contest.

To enter the contest, students are asked to write an essay of 1,000 words or less, addressing this question: “As a high school student in 2013-14, you and your contemporaries are already part of this new reality. Please reflect on the impact this demographic trend will have on our country and on your life.” 

Each entrant is invited to describe what she or he thinks are the benefits and challenges of this change for Westport and for her or him, personally.

Contest applications are available on the TEAM Westport web site at www.westportct.gov/teamwestportessay. Essays must be postmarked or emailed no later than Feb. 28. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Westport Library on Mar. 31 There are monetary prizes for the winning essays. First prize is $1,000, second prize $750, and third prize is $500

“This contest gives high school students a chance to talk about the impact our nation’s rapidly changing racial and ethnic make-up will have on their own lives,” said Harold Bailey, TEAM Westport’s chair. “We encourage them to think about their role as it relates to these emerging changes in the United States.”