(Press Release) — The Northern Marianas Humanities Council invites high school students from public and private schools across the Commonwealth to participate in a special edition of the annual My Marianas Writing Contest, commemorating and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The A250: My Marianas Writing Contest promotes awareness of the diverse experiences and perspectives of CNMI high school students through published personal narrative essays. This year’s contest is inspired by two historic milestones: the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 50th anniversary of the Covenant to Establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America.
In their essays, students are asked to address three prompts:
1) Describe a specific experience that captures what it means to be from the CNMI.
2) Explain how this experience reflects the CNMI as a part of — or apart from — the United States as a whole.
3) Share their vision for the future of the CNMI’s relationship with the United States over the next 50 years.
Cash prizes will be given to the top three entries: $500 for 1st place, $400 for 2nd place, and $300 for third place. Top essays will be collected into a published anthology to be shared with winners, their schools, the Public School System, and Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. Winning submissions will also be published in print, broadcast, and social media platforms.
The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on April 17. All submissions must be sent in PDF format to [email protected]. Submissions must include the publishing consent form available on the Council’s website. Students can find additional information about font, page length, and submission file name requirements, as well as the scoring rubric, and more at https://www.nmhcouncil.org/a250writing/.
The A250 My Marianas Writing Contest is funded in part by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
