RACIAL JUSTICE ESSAY CONTEST
EDUCATE
Meaningful scholarship opportunity for 9th-12th grade students in Auburn, Opelika, and Lee County public high schools as well as 2022 graduates of public schools.
All 9th-12th grade students of Auburn, Opelika, and Lee County public high schools in addition to 2022 graduates are eligible to submit an essay. Students are asked to examine the history of a specific racial injustice topic as well as its legacy today. Examples of topics include the creation of Lee County, racial terror lynchings in Lee County, the desegregation of Lee County City Schools, and more. Cash prizes will be awarded to all winners thanks to our partnership with NAACP Lee County AL Branch #5038. Click the sign up button below to get started!
ESSAY PROMPT AND SCORING RUBRIC
The 2022 essay prompt will be shared during the informational kick-off meetings and will be posted here on Thursday September 1st when the contest begins!
We'll also post a link to our essay scoring rubric so students will know more about how to structure and write their essays.
READY TO GET STARTED?
01
Click the Sign Up button above to get registered. Who is eligible to register?
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All 9th-12th grade students attending a public school in Lee County in the 2022-2023 school year.
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All 2022 graduates of public schools in Lee County.
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We welcome 2021 essay contestants to re-enter the 2022 contest! However, a new essay on a new topic must be submitted.
02
Attend an informational kick-off meeting. Meetings are being held:
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Monday August 29th at 7pm (CST) on Zoom - Click here to join the zoom meeting
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Thursday September 1 at 6pm (CST) at the Opelika Public Library, Meeting Room B
Missed the meetings? No worries! A recording of the zoom kick-off meeting will be posted in the Resources section below.
03
Review the Essay Prompt and Scoring Rubric above and begin exploring possible topics! Check out the resources below for ideas. Feel free to choose a topic not on this list too.
IMPORTANT 2022 CONTEST DATES
Thursday
Sep 1
Contest begins!
Another Kick-off Meeting at 6pm (CST) at Opelika Public Library.
Monday
Oct 10
Essay Submission Deadline.
Instructions for essay submission will be posted soon.
ThursDay
Nov 3
Contest winners announced at the Day of Remembrance Ceremony. More details to come!
ESSAY RESEARCH RESOURCES
Local History Panel Discussion
Ms. Selena Daniels, Mr. Wilbert Payne, Jr., Ms. Jean Madden and Mr. John Harris
To assist students research and understanding of local Lee County (and American) history, four Lee County residents shared their stories and experiences while growing up during integration in Lee County and advice they have for students today.
Click here to view highlights from this video.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Reference Coordinator, Courtney Pinkard
Learn how to:
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Search the ADAH online catalogs to identify digitized documents, photographs and records for your topic area
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Explore the ADAH Youtube channels to learn more about your research theme and topic
Links:
Research to Preserve African American Stories and Traditions
Coordinator, Dr. Rob Bubb
Learn about:
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rPAAST's mission, research and research process
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How to search for digitized newspaper articles on newspapers.com and explore geneology sites like ancestry and family tree
Links:
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Rosenwald database example
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Newspapers.com (see login information above)
2021 AWARD WINNERS
Our inaugural racial justice essay contest drew many inspiring submissions! We are grateful for every student who invested their time to research and more fully understand vitally important issues of racial justice. 8 essays were chosen as our 2021 award winners:
1st Place
Mary Ellen Lancaster
2nd Place
Caderria Thomas
3rd Place
Braxton Harris
4th Place
Jireh Ray
5th Place
Jahunna Neston
Honorable Mentions
Clara Ragan
Dayzjah Walton
Miles Hunt
