JIS Stages Heritage Essay Competition

All is in place for the staging of this year’s Heritage Essay Competition by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

The competition is being hosted by the agency for the second time, and the topic for this year’s essay is: ‘Fifty years later…Do we still need National Heroes?’

“We recognise the need to engage our children’s interest in nationally relevant issues,” said Donna-Marie Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, JIS, about the reason for the competition.

Mrs. Rowenoted that the essay competition is part of the agency’s thrust to target children. Through programmes, the JIS educates on national heritage, showcases the achievement of children and encourages them to participate in national life.

“We want our children to make the connection between the past and the present and apply the lessons learned to their lives,” she said.

The competition is open to students at the primary and preparatory school levels, aged nine to 12 years old. Essays must be 400 to 500 words in length, and entries will be judged on relevance to the topic, originality, accuracy and analysis of the researched data, neatness, presentation, style, and language skills.

Entries also must include a title page, and a bibliography or list of references. At least one reference must be a JIS source. Entrants are encouraged to read and follow the guidelines, which are available on the JIS website at www.jis.gov.jm. Essays must be emailed to heritageessay@jis.gov.jm.

Each essay should be submitted along with an application form, which is also on the JIS website. The deadline for all essays is Friday, October 26, 2012 at midnight.

Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 students and include a weekend for four, a net book computer, printers, mp4 players, book vouchers, cash and trophies, among other items. The competition is sponsored by FDR Resort, LIME, Sangster’s Bookstore, Royale Computers and Accessories, Innovative Corporate Solutions, and WB Trophies.