“Bounce Back New Orleans” Essay Contest
Student Participation Guidelines
The “Bounce Back New Orleans” Essay Contest, a component of the Warren Easton Fundamental Senior High School (WEFSHS) Class of 1996 10-Year Reunion Celebration, was developed to provide financial assistance for high school seniors who were set to graduate in the WEFSHS Class of 2006 prior to Hurricane Katrina.
The Essay Contest kicks-off April 24, 2006, and will run through May 19, 2006.
Alumni of the WEFSHS Class of 1996 will fund $500 scholarships to be presented to winners of the Essay Contest.
The $500 scholarships will assist students with college or vocational school expenses.
High school seniors who were enrolled at WEFSHS prior to Hurricane Katrina, and are set to graduate from an accredited high school in the United States by May 2006 are eligible to participate.
A letter on official stationery from the student’s current school verifying prior enrollment at WEFSHS in New Orleans should be forwarded along with the essay. Administrators will be contacted.
Student essays should include a cover letter with student’s name, address, city, state, zip code, telephone number, current school name, counselor’s name and date. The cover letter should also include the student’s career interests and their prospective college or vocational school.
Essays should include a maximum of 500 words, and must be double spaced and in 12 pt. font.
Papers should be headed with the essay question students have selected.
All essays and supporting material should be e-mailed to weclassof1996@yahoo.com or mailed to WEFSHS 10 Year Reunion, 14933 Richmond Ave. Suite 1224; Houston, TX 77082 by May 19, 2006. If e-mailed, the subject line should read: “Bounce Back New Orleans” Essay Contest.
Judges will score essays using the following criteria: originality, creativity, vocabulary, grammar, content and appropriateness to theme.
Students may choose from the following essay questions:
- What, if anything, should be done to encourage natives to return to the city of New Orleans?
- What places and/or things would you like to see preserved from New Orleans’ past during the rebuilding process?
- What, if any, improvements would you like to see in both the city and its citizens?
- Many critics believe that New Orleans should not be rebuilt to prevent disasters such as Katrina from claiming lives, property, etc. in the future. Why do you believe it is important to rebuild the city?
- Why is the city of New Orleans important in the make-up of the United States?
Winners will be announced during a Reception hosted by the Warrne Easton Hall of Fame Association to be held Sunday, June 11, 2006 at The Jefferson Orleans in Metairie, Louisiana. Please visit www.warreneastoninexile.com or www.warreneastoncharterfoundation.com for more information.
For additional information, visit www.warreneastonclassof1996.com or contact Shantania Loving-Leggins, WEFSHS Class of 1996 10-Year Reunion Committee Chairperson, at (504) 491-4742.
