Gallaudet to Sponsor National Essay and Art Contests for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teenagers
Scholarships Awarded

(Washington) Every year Gallaudet University challenges deaf and hard of hearing students to express their thoughts about a particular topic. The theme for the sixth annual Gallaudet National Essay Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students and the World Around You magazine art contest is “A Life Turning Point.” Students have the option of submitting a written essay or sharing their turning point through the medium of art, including pen and ink, pastel, watercolor, mixed media, acrylic, crayon, or pencil.

“Some students may face a turning point when they participate in their school’s work experience program and decide to pursue a specific career,” said World Around You editor and contest director Cathryn Carroll. “Other students may face a turning point when they finally tell a parent, counselor, teacher, or friend about a problem (i.e., depression, an eating disorder, a bully, drug abuse). Even reading a book can be a turning point. A student may read about a scientist and decide to make science a career.”

“If you know of any deaf or hard of hearing teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 who like to write, we encourage you to share with them the contest information and encourage them to send in an essay or art submission. All entries must be postmarked by February 11, 2005,” said Carroll.

All contest participants will receive certificates of meritorious entry. Essay place winners will receive scholarship money for the college or postsecondary training of their choice ($1,000 first place, $500 second place, $300 third place, $100 two honorable mentions). All scholarship awards will be DOUBLED for winners who choose to attend Gallaudet University. The first place winner will also receive a scholarship to Gallaudet’s Young Scholars’ Program. The first place art contest winner will receive $100. Winners will be announced and winning entries will be printed in the spring issue of World Around You magazine published by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center.

“We would like to express appreciation to the generous donors who have once again offered books for our contest place winners,” said Carroll. “They include Eric Albronda for his donation of Douglas Tilden: The Man and His Legacy, a story of the famous deaf sculptor, and Gallaudet University Press for books on deaf culture.”

For more information, contact: World Around You's Timothy Worthylake Gallaudet University, KDES, Suite 3600, 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695; or visit the contest website at: http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/WorldAroundYou/essay.html for contest rules and an application form.