HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AWARDS PROGRAM

Rules:

Eligibility: All 2019 United States High School graduates of Jamaican parentage.

Essay Topic: Being of Jamaican heritage and living in the United States of America provides a unique perspective of cultures and history. What would you say is the best of both worlds?
The essay must include a comparison of culture and history, how and why you would
embrace your choice, and what would your generation do to support that choice..

Requirements: 

• One entry per student,

• Essay must be typed, double spaced and not exceed 5 pages; minimum 500 words.
• Each page must be numbered.
• Essay must have a cover page containing the title, the student's name, and notarized
confirming originality.
• Where applicable, footnotes and bibliography must be included
in an appendix to the essay.
• Each entry must be submitted with an ESSAY COMPETITION ENTRY FORM
• Finalists must be prepared to be interviewed by the judges.
• Essay entry must be postmarked no later than June 9th, 2019 and mailed to:
     UJAA (USA), Inc.
     2019 Essay Competition
     1452 President Street
     Brooklyn, NY 11213

         Or emailed to HSGAwards@ujaausa.org

For information, please call: 917-523-5887 or 516-713-8270

Judging: 

General Merit

Mechanics

General Effect

Prizes: 
● GRAND PRIZE - A trip for 2 to Jamaica **

● 1st - $500
● 2nd - $300
● 3rd - $200
● 4th - $100
● Several consolation prizes

** Not including taxes or upgrade

All decisions by the judges will be final.
UJAA (USA), Inc. reserves the right not to award a prize at any level.
THE AWARDS CEREMONY IS:
Monday, June 24, 2019, 6:00 pm
Jamaica Performing Arts Center – 153-10 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432

The High School Graduates Award Program (HSGAP) offers cash awards to graduating US high school seniors of Jamaican heritage who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, community and/or workplace.

Applicants must –

• be a Jamaican or of Jamaican parentage,
• be a current high school senior who plans to enroll in a college or university upon graduation from a US high school in the same year as the current program,
• be ambitious and motivated as evidenced by outstanding achievement in school, community, or work activities.

The Awards

The cash awards vary according to students’ achievements, the number of students participating and the funds available from our sponsors and supporters. Awards are one time only and are not renewable.  Primary consideration are given to the applicant’s achievement in the academic area and supported by high school transcript, SAT scores and other relevant documentation. Consideration is also given to other extracurricular activities in school and community, work experience and the applicant’s record over the past four years.

The Ceremony

Recipients are announced at the Annual Awards Ceremony, usually held on the last Monday in June.  The Ceremony takes place in the presence of their peers, parents, teachers, and business and community leaders.  This is not a fundraising event.  It is an opportunity for our high school graduates to know that there is a community who supports them and congratulates them on this milestone in their educational journey. Selection of recipients is made by a committee convened by the Board of Directors of UJAA (USA), Inc., the current administrators of the program.