STANISLAUS CONNECTIONS
Announcing the 1999 Peace Essay Contest
We are poised on the brink of a new millennium. Creating a time capsule is one concrete way to preserve for future generations ideas, events, inventions, and artifacts for a time that, for future generations, will be "the past."
The 1999 Peace Essay Contest will honor the legacies of people and groups, past and present, who have worked for peace, justice, and/or the environment through nonviolent social change.
Announcing the
1999 Peace Essay Contest
Awards:
1st place 2nd place 3rd place
Division I $150 $75 $50
Division II $150 $75 $50
Division III $ 75 $50 $25
Division IV $75 $50 $25
Deadline for entries:
December 4, 1998
Notification of winners:
Early February, 1999
Introductory Statement
We are poised on the brink of a new millennium as the 20th century ends and the 21st century begins. This milestone invites us to pause and look back over the last thousand years. One way of reflecting on the past is by thoughtfully creating a time capsule: a concrete way to preserve for future generations ideas, events, inventions, and artifacts from a time that, for them, will be "the past."
The 1999 Peace Essay Contest invites entrants to propose material for an imaginary Millennium Time Capsule. It will honor the legacies of past and present peacemakers and groups that have fostered nonviolent social change. Essays will commemorate those who have contributed in one or more of the following categories:
• worked to defend the rights and dignity of all,
• encouraged peaceful interactions among people, communities, and nations,
• promoted nonviolent resolution of conflicts, and
• nurtured care for each other, for human kind, and/or for the earth and its delicate ecosystems.
Division I (grades 11 and 12)
and
Division II (grades 9 and 10):
You and your friends are preparing a Millennium Time Capsule. Others will emphasize political events, inventions and industry, entertainment and the arts, education, and family life. Your part focuses on how nonviolent social change has come about by individuals working together.
In an essay of 500 to 1000 words, profile an organization, movement, or action of people who have worked towards a nonviolent solution to one of the world’s persistent problems (see introduction). This group might be local, well-known, contemporary, or historical. Explore two examples of its important contributions. Include a written description of the artifact you would place in the Time Capsule to represent this group’s vision and work.
Division III (grades 7 and 8)
and
Division IV (grades 5 and 6):
You and your friends are preparing a Millennium Time Capsule. Others will emphasize political events, inventions and industry, entertainment and the arts, education, and family life. Your part focuses on the contributions of a person (past or present) whose life reflects a commitment to making the world more peaceful and just.
In an essay of 250 to 500 words, write a biographical sketch of a person who has worked for peace, justice, and/or the environment (see introduction). This person might be local, well-known, contemporary, or historical -- maybe even someone you know. Tell about the experiences that inspired him/her to take action, and include what you believe is this person’s most important contribution(s). Finally, describe an artifact you would place in the Time Capsule to represent this peacemaker’s contribution.
Rules
1. The Peace Essay Contest is open to all fifth through twelfth grade students attending any public or private school in Stanislaus County.
2. Submit one copy of your essay. Essays in Division I & II must be typewritten, double spaced. Essays in Divisions III and IV must be either typewritten or written in dark ink, double spaced. Use one side of white paper 8 1/2 x 11 inches. Number the pages consecutively. Your essay must be of a quality to photocopy legibly to be judged.
3. Attach an index card with your name, mailing address (including city and zip code), and telephone number. Student’s name should not be on or in the essay. Students should also include school, grade, and teacher’s name on the index card.
4. Cite all quotations, borrowed ideas, and facts that are not general knowledge. If your are uncertain about plagiarism, ask your teacher.
5. You must do your own work. However, you may ask a teacher, parent, friend for constructive criticism.
6. The Modesto Peace/Life Center reserves the right to reprint entries. Entries will not be returned.
7. Mail all entries, postmarked no later than December 4, 1998, to:
1999 Peace Essay Contest
P.O. Box 134
Modesto, CA 95353-0134
Judging
A distinguished group of local writers, educators, and peacemakers will judge the essays. Judging criteria includes:
I. Content:
A. Does the essay demonstrate concern for establishing a more peaceful world?
B. How useful/practical/well-developed are the ideas?
C. Does it answer the given topic?
II. Style:
A. Is the essay original and interesting?
B. Is it written with conviction?
C. Does the personality of the writer come through?
III. Clarity of expression:
A. Are the ideas clearly stated?
B. Is the essay well-organized?
C. Does it have an effective beginning and ending?
IV. Mechanics:
A. Does the essay stay within the word limit?
B. Does the author cite all quotes, borrowed ideas, and the facts that are not general knowledge?
C. Is grammar, spelling, and punctuation reasonably correct?
First, Second, and Third prizes will be awarded in each of the four divisions, in all divisions which have at least 15 entries. In the event that fewer than 15 entries are entered in any one division, all prizes may or may not be awarded in that division at the discretion of the judging panel. Group entries (more than one author) are welcome.
The writer of the best essay in a division from a school which has ten or more entries in that division will be honored. All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Notification of Winners
In early February, 1999, the winners will be notified. Prizes will be presented at the Awards Reception in March. All participants, teachers, judges, and sponsors will be invited as guests of honor.
1999 Peace Essay Committee: Margaret Barker, Indira Clark, Pam Franklin, Elaine Gorman, Deborah Roberts, and Sandy Sample.
Email us at: peaceessay@juno.com
The 14th Annual Peace Essay Contest is a project of the Modesto Peace/Life Center.
Students and Teachers: Community Service Opportunities
Need to fill (or assign) some community service time this semester? There are plenty of opportunities with Peace/Life Center activities and program:
-Stanislaus Connections - writing, interning on editorial board (meetings first and third Thursdays of each month), working on the mailing crew (fourth Tuesday), selling ads, etc. We Need a Calendar Co-ordinator to solicit and arrange the monthly calendar.
-Peace Essay Contest - mailings in October, the Harvest Supper, lots of office work in December and January;
-Harvest Supper - October 24th, baking pies in the morning, decorating and preparing salad bar in the afternoon, serving and clean-up in the evening;
-Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Committee - planning annual mid-January Modesto event.
(Of course, people of all ages may join in!)
ACTION: Phone the Center the volunteer 529-5750.
