In conjunction with Revive The Village’s 2^nd annual black history event, an essay contest of 500 words or less is being offered to all Delaware high school seniors to enter to instill the importance of being engaged in their community. The contest is an opportunity for 12^th graders to voice through words why voting is important to their generation.   The 1^st place, 2^nd place and 3^rd place winners will be announced at the event on March 3^rd. The grand prize winner of the essay contest will present their essay live at the event and it will be featured in United Way of Delaware’s LIVING UNITED publication. The event, in partnership with The National Coalition of 100 Black Women and Wilmington University, is free and open to the public, with on-site voter registration being available for attendees that have not yet registered to vote (bring valid, proper ID).

For those interested in submitting an entry into the essay contest, the deadline has been extended to Monday, February 20, 2012.  A $100, $50 and $25 grand prize will be awarded to the top three essays.  All entries should be emailed to Roxann at redwards@uwde.org. For more information, contact (302) 573-3724.

Contest Rules:

1. Create a title page with the following information:     ”Give Me the Ballot … My Voice Matters”, student’s name, address, phone number, email address, grade, and name of the student’s school/home school.

2. Entries must be typed, double spaced in 12-point font.

3. To assure impartiality, do not put your name on the essay. The only place for the author's name is the cover page.

4. All entries must be original, written by the author and previously unpublished.

5. Entries should not exceed 500 words.

6. The deadline to submit an entry has been extended to February 20, 2012.