AAUW Fall 2005 Bloomington-Normal High School Senior Essay Contest
About the High School Student Essay Contest
The Bloomington-Normal Branch of AAUW is sponsoring a high school student essay contest to encourage our young adults to reflect upon issues of equity and diversity the impact their personal, professional, and public life. Our purpose is to promote awareness by highlighting the mission of AAUW—and especially that of the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF):
The American Association of University Women promotes equity for all
women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.
Eligibility for the Essay Contest
Bloomington-Normal high school seniors (12 th grade) are eligible to submit one 500 word essay addressing the importance of promoting equity (women) and/or diversity (multi-cultural) in one of the following areas and subtopics:
Civil Rights (such as affirmative action, hate crimes prevention, personal security)
Education (such as Title IX, single sex education, school vouchers)
Workplace Issues (such as pay equity and Family Medical Leave Act)
Other (violence against women prevention, welfare, healthcare)
For more information on these topics collected by AAUW, visit http://www.aauw.org/issue_advocacy/actionpages/index.cfm
Contest Rules—note enhanced awards amounts
Students' essays must conform to their respective schools' appropriateness policies. A signed Parental Permission form (link to form) must accompany each essay to be considered. Typed essays are due to each high school's contact teacher for this contest by October 3. Essays will be reviewed by both the students' high school teachers and a representative of the local Branch of AAUW. Winners and Honorable Mention essays for each Bloomington-Normal high school that is participating in the contest will be announced November 1. All honorable mention and winning awardees and their families and friends will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony at Barnes and Noble's in Bloomington on the evening of Friday, November 18 and to be recognized and receive their certificates and/or award checks. Essay winners from each high school and their families and friends will be invited to read their essays at an event. Group pictures will be taken and an exhibit of winning essays and essayists will be created.
Through generous additional donations from the ISU Physics Department and ISU's American Democracy Project (via ISU's Provost's Office) supporting this essay contest, we are able to offer enhanced awards:
1st Place -- $100 from AAUW
2nd Place -- $80 from ISU Physics
3rd Place -- $60 from ISU's American Democracy Project
Finalists ($40 each) -- $40 from ISU's American Democracy Project, and two $40 checks from ISU Physics
Mission of AAUW LAF (http://www.aauw.org/laf/index.cfm)
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for women
seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination.
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund is the nation's largest legal fund focused solely
on sex discrimination in higher education. Since 1981 the AAUW Legal Advocacy
Fund has helped students, faculty, staff, and administrators in higher education
challenge discriminatory practices such as sexual harassment, denial of tenure
or promotion, pay inequity, and inequality in women's athletics programs.
About the Bloomington-Normal Branch of AAUW
The Bloomington-Normal Branch was founded in 1913 (District 2). AAUW is a nationwide organization of graduates of regionally accredited United States colleges and universities or foreign institutions recognized by the International Federation of University Women. AAUW concerns itself with enhancing the intellectual and cultural life of the individual; supporting legislation; working to improve education; increasing options and total awareness; securing equal opportunities; and study, then action. In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.
For more information about this student essay contest and AAUW, visit our Bloomington-Normal Branch AAUW website at http://www.aauw-il.org/bloom/index.html or contact Grace Foote Johns ( johns@phy.ilstu.edu or 309-438-8758). A special thank you to the AAUW Essay Contest Committee: Co-Chair Sara Riley, Martha Everman, Ruth Parsons, Lavonya Sandlin, and Dr. Beatrice Smith.
page last updated 11/04/05gfj