The Institute of Caribbean Studies announces the second Annual, National Caribbean- American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition. The competition is designed to commemorate the historic passage of a Congressional Resolution declaring June as National, Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The Institute is partnering with area schools and colleges and organizations such as the University of the West Indies Alumni Association and others across the country to organize regional/local competitions. The winning entry for each state/regional competition will be judged in the national level competition and the grand winner will receive tickets for two to a Caribbean destination.

The essay title is “How should Caribbean-Americans participate in the American democratic process”. The competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties who are of Caribbean heritage as defined by the competition rules. The closing date for the competition is May 29, 2007 and winning entries in the local/regional competition will be announced at UNIFEST 2007 on June 3, 2007. The official entry form may be obtained at www.gcacc.com.

Contact: Tanya N. Ragbeer
954-895-8384
954-730-8885
caribchamber@gcacc.com

Yasmin Anderson-Smith
301-792-2276
301-625-6881
kymsimage@bww.com