Essayists celebrate role models
by Scott Fleenor
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

The Multicultural and International Student Services Office begins its ninth year of Celebrating Our Elders, where graduating high school and community college students compete for 14 scholarships by writing essays about what an African-American or Hispanic elder has meant to their lives.

"Celebrating Our Elders celebrates the inter-generational strength of two cultures, showing the positive aspects between the elders and the young," said Linda Bullock, director of multicultural services.

"The scholarship is offered for all students regardless of ethnicity who have been inspired by African-American and Hispanic role models," said Bernadina Streeter, program assistant in the Multicultural and International Student Services Office and co-director of the COE Scholarship project. "The objective is to reach out and develop relationships with all ethnicities in our community."

For both the African-American and Hispanic essay scholarships, awards include: one $1,000 scholarship for best essay, one $750 scholarship for the second place essay, two $500 scholarships for third place and three $250 scholarships for fourth place.

The application form lists four requirements: essays must be in formal or narrative style (no poetry), six hundred words typed, double-spaced on plain white paper, only one essay can be entered each year and must be on a different elder each year. Essays must be 12 point type, Times New Roman, with one inch margins on the top and bottom and 1.25 inch margins on the left and right.

"Honoring our elders gives you the opportunity to give recognition to the ones responsible for your life's ambition," said Victoria Guajardo, last year's $1,000 scholarship winner for her essay titled "Aroma of Life."

Individuals from UH-Clear Lake and representatives from the surrounding community colleges and businesses will be judging the essays on a variety of criteria. According to the application guidelines, some of the criteria include: the life and the values of the elder in your community, the elder's support and inspiration for you, and the elder's effect on your life personally and academically.

The deadline for essays is April 30. For application forms or further information, visit www.cl.uh.ed/multcult/elders.

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