Prince William high school students asked to comment on Civil Rights Act; entries due Jan. 8

The Prince William Human Rights Commission is calling on county high school students to enter an essay contest on “The Civil Rights Act of 1964: Is It Still Relevant Today?,” according to a news release from PWC government.

The first place winner of the contest will receive a $100 cash prize, $75 will go to the second place winner, and the contestant who places third will receive $50. All entrants will be awarded certificates of participation.

Original, unpublished papers must be submitted by close of business Jan. 8, 2014.

Students are asked for a concise, clearly written, substantively accurate, grammatically correct, original discussion that is supported by research and citations.

Send electronic submissions in Word or WordPerfect to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Send standard 8 ½ x 11, double-spaced, paper entries to Phyllis Aggrey, Executive Director, PWC Human Rights Commission, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Suite 125, Woodbridge, Va. 22191. Paper entries will include the original and three paper copies and must be postmarked on or before Jan. 8, 2014, by the U.S. Postal Service or a recognized commercial express service.

The essay winners will be announced at the annual Universal Human Rights Day at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at the Prince William Board Chambers in the McCoart Government Center at 1 County Complex Court.

Sen. Henry Marsh, who represents Richmond in the Virginia General Assembly, will be the keynote speaker. Jeff Goldberg of WJLA will be the Master of Ceremonies.

“It’s the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, so this not only commemorates the anniversary, but also gets the perspective of young people today,” Phyllis Aggrey, the Executive Director of the Prince William County Human Rights Commission said of the essay contest.

“Do they find that particular law relevant today? Does it apply to them or does it not apply to them is really what we’re asking.”

Essays must include a title paper with the author’s name, the name of the author’s high school, along with telephone numbers, mailing address and email address where the author can be reached. Eligible essays will not exceed 1,000 words including title, text and citations.

For more information or if you have questions about the essay requirements or the annual Universal Human Rights Day event, contact the Human Rights Commission at 703-792-4680.