Local students could win a cash prize for participating in an essay contest put on by the Salem-Keizer NAACP.
The civil rights organization is sponsoring a Juneteenth essay contest and recently extended the deadline to June 10, according to an email.
Juneteenth, celebrated June 19, celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. It’s recognized on the day a Union general landed in Galveston, Texas and told slaves they were free.
The 2022 Juneteenth essay prompt is “If Mr. Booker T. Washington was alive today what do you think he would say about America’s progress with race and equality?”
Essays may be from students in any grade, with the following guidelines and prizes:
Elementary school students: approximately 250-300 words, $75 prize
Middle school students – approximately 500-750 words, $150 prize
High school students – approximately 800-1,000 words, $250 prize
Essays can be submitted to [email protected] or [email protected], or by mail to P.O. Box 13068 Salem, OR 97309. Submissions should include the writer’s name and school.