Photo: Edwin Martínez / El Diario
The Mexican Cultural Institute invites middle and high school students from the United States to participate in the contest of essay by 2021 on Dolores Huerta entitled “Walk it, like I talk it”.
All essays must be submitted by July 7, 2021, Before 5: 00 pm
Winners will be announced once the judging panel has finished reviewing each submitted essay.
The contest pays tribute to Dolores Huerta , defender of social justice and respect for human dignity.
This essay contest focuses on encouraging young students to learn about the legacy she began over the years 70 and that has transcended to our present.
Dolores Huerta is one of the most influential Hispanic labor activists of the 20th century and a prominent leader of the Chicano civil rights movement.
Together with César E. Chávez, he founded the Union of Agricultural Workers (UFW), where he fought for the civil rights of Latinos and agricultural workers. Its most important achievements have been through non-violent demonstrations such as protests and marches. Dolores Huerta’s passion and success for activism have not gone unnoticed. He has received many important accolades, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
The title “Walk it, like I talk it” is inspired by Dolores Huerta’s famous quote “Walk with us through the streets towards history. Get off the sidewalk. ”
How is the contest
The contest is bilingual (English and Spanish).
📢 Why does it only take one person to make a change? Why is it hard to stand up for someone else? We want students from middle school to high school to answer these questions through our # DoloresHuerta Writing Contest. Deadline: July 7! https://t.co/YtuBRPgp4H
– Mexican Cultural Institute DC (@MexCultureDC)
June 12, 2021
Students can begin by asking themselves or others in their family the following questions , school, neighborhood and must take into account why Dolores Huerta has fought for a long time and how he has inspired others through his actions.
These are the questions to consider: Why does it only take one person to do change? Why is it difficult to defend another person?
The Mexican Cultural Institute encourages students to investigate the historical context of Dolores Huerta, so that they can better understand the meaning of their words and actions in today’s society.
Who can participate, what is the required extension and in which categories
The bilingual essay contest is free and is open to any student in grades 6 – 12 who is enrolled in a public or private school in the United States. There are two categories, each with a maximum required length:
• Middle School (6th, 7th, 8th grade): individual entries, maximum extension of 450 words.
• High School (Grades 9 – 10): individual entries, maximum length of 550 words.
Essays must stay within the word limit of their category.
How is the jury’s evaluation
The trials will be evaluated taking into account the following criteria:
• Essays should address the questions listed above.
• Essays should relate ideas or experiences Students’ personal ideas with the topic and show an understanding of the ideals of Dolores Huerta.
• Essays should not be a biographical sketch of Dolores Huerta.
• Essays will be evaluated on the basis of clearly expressed creative and original ideas. The correct use of basic grammar and writing skills in both English and Spanish will also be considered.
What are the awards and recognitions
When registering your essay, You grant the Mexican Cultural Institute the right to exhibit your essay both for the selection of this contest and for our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, @MexCultureDC and other means that we consider appropriate. The participants accept that the results of the points system and decisions of the jury are final and cannot be appealed.
High School (Grades 6, 7, 8):
First place – Certificate + $ 300 USD
Second place – Certificate + $ 300 USD
Third place – Certificate
High School (Grades 9 – 12)
First Place – Certificate + $ 300 USD
Second place – Cer tified + $ 100 USD
Third Place – Certificate
Winners will be contacted by email or phone and will be announced on our website and on social media.
Information required for delivery
Papers must be sent to culturemexico@instituteofmexicodc.org in a PDF file before the deadline. Essays submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
When sending by email, the subject must say “ MCI Writing Competition ”. This form should be completed at the top of the essay.
- Student’s full name
- Student’s Grade Level
- Student phone number
- Student address
For more information about the contest, rules and dates, please email culturemexico@instituteofmexico.org.