It always brightens my day to share information that empowers and inspires. I received an email from a friend from HU who is one of the master minds behind an essay contest for high school students designed to create community service projects that promote progress, unity, and change.
We always hear about the negative things happening in the hood  and not enough about the good! This is an awesome opportunity to engage young minds and to get the youth actively involved with making a real difference in our communities. Make sure that you pass this information on. Here are the details:
Leap and DROBE, Inc. have partnered for the Style is Power â„¢ Essay Contest to encourage high school seniors to express THEIR solutions for neighborhood reformation.
Topic:Â How would you use $5,000 to enhance the quality of life in your community?
Your essay must include answers to the following:
What problem in your community are you addressing?
What is your solution?
What impact will your plan have on the community?
Why will your plan work?
Requirements:
• Must be typed in 12-point font, double-spaced and no more than 500 words.
• Must be participant’s original work.
• Must be in English.
• Please use proper grammar and punctuation.
• Must be a 2008 graduating high school senior, currently enrolled in school.
• Must be postmarked or emailed by Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 11:59PM, PST.
• Essays must be accompanied by the following form:
Style Is Power Essay Entry Form
Prizes:
DROBE, Custom Clothing will donate a custom-made outfit for graduation:
Young Man: Suit, Shirt, Silk Tie, Cuff Links, Socks and Shoes or
Young Woman: Pants or Skirt Suit, Shirt, Ascot, Cuff Links, Stockings and Shoes or Sandals
leap, Inc. will grant a $500 scholarship for the college of your choice.
leap, Inc. will grant $5,000 to make your community improvement a reality.
leap, Inc. will provide lunch for you and a community leader or celebrity role model.
To submit your entry:
Mail:
Style Is Power Essay
112 West 9th Street
Suite 826
Los Angeles, CA 90015
or
Email:
StyleIsPowerEssay@leapusa.org
Who’s involved?
Ms. Jan Perry
The Honorable Councilwoman
Los Angeles, District 9
Mr. John Hope Bryant
Chairman, founder and chief executive officer
Operation HOPE
and
Vice chairman
U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy
Reverend Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray
USC School of Religion
Mr. Isadore Hall
The Honorable Councilman
*Compton City, District 4
Mr. Rickey Ivie, Esq
Ivie, McNeill and Wyatt
Mr. Delvin Walker
100 Black Men – Board Member
Mr. Edward Sanders
Community Organizer
Ms. Gina M. Durham, Esq.
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
and
President and Founder
Building a Foundation for Success, Inc. (“BFS”)
Mr. Grant Talbot
Educator
Hampton University Alum
Dr. Nathaniel Thomas
L.A. County Department of Mental Health
Dr. Floria Trimble
National University Professor
Individual Contributors
Angela Raspberry
Brendon Riley
Erika Munro
Lisa Heiskell
Melanie Rae
Michael Armstrong
Rossini Tolentino
Tyrone Darey
William Bradfield
About the sponsors:
leap, Inc., acronym for Learning Enrichment After-school Program, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. leap’s mission is to develop well-rounded individuals by motivating students to excel academically, encouraging them to dream and teaching them to be healthy, productive citizens. For more information visit www.leapusa.org.
DROBE, Inc. is a full service custom clothing boutique, using the world’s finest cloth and craftsmanship. The company provides custom and tailored shirts, suits, ties, shoes and accessories. Their personal stylists identify the best colors, textures, design and fit for the diverse environments of life. For more information visit www.drobe.com.
Found your site on digital point forums.
Cool post, great advise.
A good Opportunity to try
Hey there. This is a nice blog and I like it. Keep up the good job!
I find your blog very informative and interesting. Not bad huh.. ha
great post. if i had the money and time to invest i would open a afterschool program for kids. get them off the streets and homes where the parents arent home
Excellent idea to better the community, I believe not enough attention is placed on the affect a good community can have on the quality of life of the inhabitants.
5,000 might be a little small to improve the community though.
Excellent idea buddy. This essay contest is a perfect activity for youth. This is a great opportunity for them to expand their horizons and make meaning in their communities.
I agree with Safara. This is a great opportunity for the youth to engage their selves for this kind of activity that will develop their writing skills and care for their communities.
there is a great opportunity for the youth to be in such activity as these are the meanful skills which every time comes in act !
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Brilliant idea, keep up the good work. excellent opportunity for the youth to engage into something meaningful and learn new stuff.
I would donate the funds to a pro-bicycle or pro-pedestrian group.
What a great essay idea, not only to encourage students to get involved in their community – but perhpas some of these ideas the students come up with could actually be done by the schools or community members.
Wow. That is great. In our school, we do only have essay contest during events. But this one is great. This can be really applied to our community.