5th Graders: The New Voice of Immigration

Nov. 4, 2009 - PRLog -- WHAT:
Joseph B. De Mott, founding partner of the immigration law firm De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Associates, announced today that for the seventh time, his firm will proudly sponsor and facilitate local participation in “Celebrate America”, a writing contest sponsored by the American Immigration Council.

“This school year will mark our seventh year of local participation in the contest,” says De Mott, “and we’ve had consistently high numbers of participating students each year.  When I visit the schools to talk to students about the contest, I’m always impressed with how enthusiastic they are about taking part in it, and how supportive their parents and teachers are as well.”

ELIGIBILITY:
Any fifth grader enrolled in either a public or a private school (home-schooled students are included in the private school category, and are strongly encouraged to enter) is invited to share his or her creative writing and research skills by writing a poem, essay, or short story on “Why I Am Glad America Is A Nation Of Immigrants.”

PROCEDURE:
Entries are limited to 500 words and can be an essay, poem, short story, interview, or the like. Each entry must include a cover page with the following information: student’s name; grade; age, school; address; telephone number; and proof of enrollment in the fifth grade, such as a transcript, report card, or letter from the student’s teacher, the school principal, or the guidance counselor.

JUDGING:
Entries will be judged by a panel including returning judge, Tino Duran, Publisher & Owner of La Prensa and Director of La Prensa Foundation, Inc.; new judge, Martha Tijerina, Volunteer Host and Producer of Catholic Television of San Antonio (CTSA); and U.S. Representative Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), who will once again serve as an honorary judge. The judges will be looking for entries that reflect the creativity and celebrate the diversity of culture strengthened by immigration

DEADLINE:
All entries must be mailed or delivered in person no later than Friday, January 22, 2010 to:

Immigration Writing Contest
c/o De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Associates
Immigration Lawyers
8930 Fourwinds Dr., Suite 106
San Antonio, TX 78239-1971            

“The stories the students told last year were very touching,” says Duran.  “I could tell that they had strong bonds with their culture, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the participants express those bonds this year.”

PRIZES:
Three winners each will be selected from the public and private/homeschooled categories.  Each of the first place winners will receive a $100 cash prize, and a replica of the Statue of Liberty, the universal symbol of freedom, democracy, and diplomacy that has inspired millions of immigrants; the second place winners will each receive $60, and the third place winners will receive $40.  The winners will also have the opportunity to recite their entries at an award ceremony held locally, and each student will receive a certificate of participation.

After the award ceremony, winning local entries will be posted on the law firm’s website at www.demottusa.com, and submitted into the national competition.  The grand prize winner and his or her parents will attend as guests of honor at the American Immigration Council’s annual banquet (held in June), and the overall winning entry will be posted in the Congressional Record.

FOR MORE INFO:
For official contest details, please visit www.celebrateamericwritingcontest.org, or call Joseph B. De Mott directly at 210.590.1844

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Background of the American Immigration Council
The American Immigration Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of Immigration Law and policy and the value of immigration to American society; to promote public service and excellence in the practice of Immigration Law; and to advancing fundamental fairness and due process under the law of immigrants. For more information, please visit www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org.

Background of De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Associates
The De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Associates Law Firm includes 9 San Antonio lawyers whose practice is focused on Immigration Law. The founding partner, Joseph B. De Mott, has been practicing Immigration Law in San Antonio for over 30 years, and has been certified as a specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1981. For more information, please visit www.demottusa.com.