Every year the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. sponsor an essay competition for high school seniors. The competition affords students the opportunity to compete for scholarship funds by developing a 700-750 word essay on a topic selected by the International Achievement Week Committee. This year’s topic is: With the Rising Cost for a College Education what Value Do You Place on Earning a College Degree?
As a community leader, we are seeking your assistance in announcing the competition and distributing the information. A copy of the application and additional information is enclosed with this cover letter. We hope you are aware of talented high school seniors in the Nashville and surrounding area high schools who could benefit from winning this competition.
Gamma Phi Chapter will offer the winner of the local competition $200. A prize of $100 and $50 will go to the second and third place finishers. The winner will move on to compete with winners at the fraternity’s District level. The District winner will compete at the international level for grand prizes of $3,000 for 1st place; $2,000 for 2nd; $1000 for 3rd place; and $500 for the fourth place finisher.
The completed essay is due to the address above no later than November 1, 2012.
Thank you so much for assisting us in serving the Nashville metropolitan community.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Freeman, Ph.D.
Scholarship Chairman
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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Celebrating 101 years of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift
2012 – 2013 International Achievement Week Project
Theme: “Our Omega Commitment: A Look at the Past with an Eye on the Future.”
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Announcement of the Annual
International High School Essay Contest
As a phase of the Annual International Achievement Week Observance
November 11 – 18, 2012
Awards: Four College Scholarships
1st Scholarship: $3,000; 2nd Scholarship: $2,000; 3rd Scholarship: $1,000; 4th Scholarship: $500
Eligibility: The Contest is open to all college-bound, high school seniors
Contest Closes November 1, 2012.
RULES
The essay must be entitled:
“With the Rising Cost for a College Education what Value Do You Place on Earning a College Degree?”
The essay must be original, neither previously published nor secured by copyright.
The essay must be between 700 and 750 words in length.
Three type-written, double-spaced copies must be submitted.
The following information for the contestant must appear on the first page in this manner.
Title: __________________________________________________________________________________
An Essay By: ___________________________ Home Street Address: ____________________________
City, State, Zip Code: _______________________ Name of High School: _________________________
Address of High School: _________________________________________________________________
Contest Name: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity International High School Essay Contest
Name of Chapter Sponsoring Project: Gamma Phi Chapter__________ Location of Chapter: Nashville, TN___________
The manuscript must be postmarked not later than midnight, November 1, 2012, and mailed to the LOCAL CHAPTER SPONSORING THE ESSAY CONTEST.
Persons submitting manuscripts thereby grant to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. the right to keep the manuscripts and to exercise full publishing rights to them. Awards will be announced on or about June 30, 2013, and the decision of the judges will be final. The manuscripts must present an adequate treatment of the essay topic. Winners will be required to furnish written proof that they were enrolled in their respective high school at the time the essays were submitted. Awards will be submitted to each winner, upon written verification from an institution of higher education that the individual has enrolled. Actual enrollment (not just acceptance) is required. Awards must be claimed within 18 months after the announcement date to be valid.
RATING CRITERIA FOR ESSAYS
Development of Topic/Thesis: (30 possible pts.) Topic well developed (covers and develops major points, supplying enough information for understanding)
Progression: (20 possible pts.) Composition progresses from beginning to end in a logical flow of information
Readability: (25 possible pts.) Concise prose that sticks to the point and does not ramble (holds reader’s attention)
Grammar: (15 possible pts.) Agreement of subject and verb; proper tense; correct sentence construction; paragraphing, including transitional phrases linking same
Spelling: (5 possible pts.)
Punctuation: (5 possible pts.)
