Dauphin County Commissioners announce details of 12th annual diversity essay contest for students

HARRISBURG, PA (March 6, 2018) – As part of an ongoing effort to promote diversity, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III are holding their 12th annual Cultural Diversity Essay Contest for students from age 6 to 18 in Dauphin County. 
 
The contest, which began in 2007, was created to actively engage children in thinking about cultural diversity.
 
“We offer this essay contest every year to encourage children to think critically about diversity, appreciate our differences and to inspire others,” said Hartwick, who has oversight of the county’s Cultural Celebration Task Force, which coordinates the contest.
 
The essay contest age categories, questions and prizes are as follows:
 
•             Age 6 – 10: What does diversity look like in your school or community? Draw a picture(s) to support your essay.

 

75 to 150 words, first place wins $60; second place $30, and third place $25
 

 

•             Age 11 – 14: Select two different schools in Dauphin County, research them and write about each of their cultures. What makes them unique?

 

150 to 250 words, first place wins $100; second place $50, and third place $40
 
•             Age 15 – 18Identify someone from your school or community who immigrated to America. Interview him/her about his/her culture and experience with immigrating to this country?
 

 

250 to 500 words, first place wins $140; second place $65, and third place $40
 
Essays must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018.  All entries should include the child’s name, school, grade, age, home address, home phone number and word count on a separate piece of paper.  Essays should be mailed or delivered to the Dauphin County Administration Building, Attn: Faye Fisher, Department of Human Resources, 2 S. Second St., 5th floor, Harrisburg, PA  17101.
 
“We continue to make diversity a priority,” said Haste. “This program is one more way we’re engaging youth and celebrating diversity in our community.”
 
The commissioners will announce the winners from each category at a public meeting this summer, prior to the annual Cultural Fest, a free street festival in downtown Harrisburg on Friday, Aug. 3.
 
“It’s great to see so many young people participate in the program and share their stories and thoughts on diversity,” said Pries. “We’re always impressed and inspired by the students’ thoughtful essays.”
 
Last year, a total of 464 student essays were received.

 

For more information about the contest, please call 717-780-6230 or visit www.DauphinCounty.org.