Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) is pleased to announce its fourth annual student contest – with students having the option to write essays, create poetry, or produce short videos. The contest is open to high school (grades 9-12) and college (undergraduate and graduate) students. Cash prizes totaling $8,500 will be awarded to a total of sixteen winners: $1,000 (each) to the top six winners. Plus, the top thirty finalists will receive two complimentary tickets to attend GFBNEC’s 15th Annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner this fall at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles.
Students will have the choice to either write an essay, write a poem, or create a short video. Participants must address one of four topics: (1) There are many aspects of the Japanese American World War II soldier experience that are relevant today. Explore one of them; (2) Research one Japanese American World War II soldier, and highlight elements of the experience that are most meaningful to YOU; (3) Analyze what the Japanese American World War II experience can teach us about the Constitution, rights, and responsibilities; (4) Define what the word
“courage” means to you. Use examples from both the Japanese American World War II experience and your own lives. All submissions are due by Thursday, June 30, 2016. Essays and poems must be emailed to chris@goforbroke.org. Videos must be posted to YouTube, and the link must then be emailed to chris@goforbroke.org.
This is the fourth year that GFBNEC has encouraged young people to explore their relationship to the Japanese American veteran story. Last year, GFBNEC received over 245 entries from all over the country. Entries came in from 16 states and the District of Columbia, approximately 55 high schools, and 20 universities. Winners came from California, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Idaho, and Nevada, with all first place winners hailing from different states. GFBNEC is expecting an even better response this year, as word of the contest grows.
Essays being sought should consist of 250- to 500-word original compositions. Poems should not be longer than 3 typed pages. Videos should be between 3 and 5 minutes in length. A panel of educators has been specially selected to serve as judges. The winners will be presented in a booklet at the Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner, as well as available on GFBNEC’s website, www.goforbroke.org.
Following the deadline for submission on June 30, 2016, the winners will be notified by July 31, 2016. College and high school students are urged to submit their essays, poems, and videos to chris@goforbroke.org. For more information, contact Chris Brusatte at (310) 222-5711, or go to www.goforbroke.org.