News Release
January 4, 2006
Spanish Essay Contest Gives DPS Fourth And Fifth Graders Chance To Express Their Thoughts About Life In The United States; Entry Deadline Extended To Friday, Jan. 20
El Expectador and the DPS Community Engagement Office are holding a Spanish writing contest for Spanish-speaking DPS fourth and fifth graders. Entries will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 20.
There will be cash prizes for the first three places - $300 to first, $200 to second and $100 to third place. Finalists' work also will be published by El Expectador, a Spanish newspaper that circulates throughout Denver. Judges expect to announce the winners on Tuesday, Feb. 14, but the date is subject to change according to the amount of participation.
The topic of the contest is "A Testimony of My Life in the United States." Written pieces shall explain or narrate a positive or negative experience lived in the U.S. such as adaptation to a new culture and society, school, community or obstacles faced due to the use and learning of a new language. Each testimony is required to be between two and three pages.
The purpose of this contest is to stimulate an interest in writing at an early age and promote the thinking and expressions of Spanish-speaking students. The contest also provides an opportunity for parents to get further involved in their children's education by providing guidance and moral support to their children as they put together a well-written essay. This process will furthermore help parents, educators and the community to discover the talents of Spanish-speaking students and become familiar with their perspective and experiences; this in turn will serve to encourage and develop students' interests.
For more information about the contest, call Flor Amaro, DPS community specialist, at 720-423-3653 or Diana Gonzalez, DPS literacy coach, at 720-394-9993.