Annual NaSeA/ANMA Essay contests 2011 for High school, Middle school and Elementary school students
The Nepalese Association in Southeast America (NASeA) and the Association of Nepalese in Midwest America (ANMA) are announcing their annual student essay contests open to all high school, middle school and elementary school students of North America in their respective categories.
No matter who we are, no matter where we live and no matter what life we choose to lead, we are all Nepali in one way or another. In addition, whether we are aware of it or not, we are all shaped and influenced by our Nepali culture and traditions. Our roots lead us deeper to Nepal and nurtures us directly or indirectly through nutrients of Nepali cultures and traditions that has evolved over thousands years of Nepali civilization.
The goal of this essay contest is to increase awareness about Nepal and its culture so that we can know and preserve our culture and ultimately gain a better understanding of ourselves.
Following are the brief details about the individual contest for high school, middle school and elementary school. For detail information regarding guideline, eligibility, submission date, judging committee and judging criteria read the corresponding attachment.
Time table
-
Essay submission deadline –
July 25, 2011. Aug 4, 2011 (Extended) - Winners will be notified by – Aug 13, 2011.
- Recognition of Winners – September 4th, 2011 (during cultural program of NASeA/ANMA annual joint convention).
High School Contest
Title – Celebrating Nepal in your life: Maintaining Nepali Identity
This year’s theme for the NASeA/ANMA joint convention is “Celebrating Nepal in the United States”. Corresponding with this theme, the subject of this year’s essay contest is “Celebrating Nepal in your life: Maintaining Nepali Identity”.
What can you do to celebrate Nepal in your life and how do you maintain your Nepali identity. Some questions to answer are: What are your cherished Nepali values passed to you by your parents? What are the Nepali traditions, festival and customs you will like to observe, follow and pass to future generation and why do you like those? What are the things you will do to preserve and maintain those tradition, festival and values?
(Guideline: The essay should incorporate how you are going to maintain Nepali identity by following Nepali traditions, rituals and customs in your life in North America. Nepali values, rituals and traditions that you cherish most and would like to hand down to future generation. How do you think we can preserve our Nepali identity in North America?)
Awards & Recognitions:
High school essay contest is sponsored by NASeA and ANMA. The first-place winner will be awarded a prize of US $300 along with an award certificate. The second and the third place winners will receive $100 and $50 respectively, along with their award certificate. The top three essays will also be published in NASeA’s upcoming Yeti View Point magazine. The winners will be honored during NASeA/ANMA joint convention in Labor Day Weekend, 2011 in Atlanta, GA, USA.
Middle School Contest
Title – Life in North America: Things that remind me of Nepal
What are the North American cultures, things, or events in your life in North America that remind you of Nepal or bring you back memories of your days in Nepal.
(Guideline: We are looking for American or Canadian cultures, things or events that trigger your memory of Nepal or remind you Nepal. Thus, do not include Nepali traditions that you and your family follow in North America and Nepali festivals and celebrations that you observe in North America as trigger points of your memory. Writing should cover how and why it reminds you and how it is linked to Nepal. )
Awards & Recognitions:
The middle school writing contest is once again personally sponsored by Dr. Sanjeeb Sapkota of Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. Middle school narrative writing contest first, second and third place winner will be awarded a prize of US $100, $75 and $50 respectively, along with their award certificate. The top three narrative writings will also be published in NASeA’s upcoming Yeti View Point magazine. The winners will be honored during NASeA/ANMA joint convention in Labor Day Weekend, 2011 in Atlanta, GA, USA.
We would like to invite all interested students to participate and play vital role in making our effort successful.
Elementary School Contest
Title - Show and Tell: “Nepal for Vacation”
Assume that you have to do a “show-and-tell”, but this time instead of telling, you will be writing.
The topic for this year’s show and tell is “Nepal for Vacation”. This year, Nepal is celebrating Nepal tourism year 2011. To celebrate this event, you have to write about why people should go to Nepal for vacation.
(Guideline: Nepal is a culturally, historically and naturally very rich and gifted country. There are many things that visitors can get to see and do in Nepal. You can limit your subject to one specific thing (for example: trekking) or cover multiple things (trekking, mountaineering…..).
Ask your parents to provide a picture relating to your "show and tell". Please do not forget to send us the picture along with your writing.
Writing should cover basic introduction and importance of the subject.)
Awards & Recognitions:
Elementary School Contest is sponsored by NASeA/ANMA. Elementary School “Show and Tell Nepal” contests’ first, second and third place winner will be awarded a prize of US $40, $35 and $25 respectively, along with their award certificate. The top three writings will also be published in NASeA’s upcoming Yeti View Point magazine. The winners will be honored during NASeA/ANMA joint convention in Labor Day Weekend, 2011 in Atlanta, GA, USA.
Dr. Sushama Pradhan
Chair, Essay Committee (NaSeA/ANMA Essay contests 2011)
Email - spradhan[at]gmail.com
