2nd Annual Essay Contest Announcement

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Beta Alpha Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated would like to announce its 2nd annual Women’s History essay contest. The contest is open to all 7th and 8th grade students in the Newark, Irvington and Hillside public school systems.

This year’s essay topic will focus on the first woman to be elected and serve as the president of an African nation, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Ms. Sirleaf became the president of Liberia, a country founded by freed American slaves. She has the awesome and formidable responsibility of restoring peace, prosperity and democracy to a nation plagued by a 20 year civil war, extreme poverty and disease. It is in the spirit of illuminating Ms. Sirleaf’s accomplishments and acknowledging her challenges as a leader, we ask contestants to critically think and examine their lives, their environment and their leadership skills parallel to President Sirleaf’s presidency and answer the question:

“Can and how do I rise to the challenges of being a leader?”

The authors of the three placing essays will be asked to read their submission at the awards reception and at that time they will be presented with cash prizes of $50, $75 and $100 respectively.

Essay Contest Requirements

Length: Between 500 and 1000 words

Format: Typewritten in English on 8 1/2 x 11 paper title to appear as heading on each page; no name on any page except entry form that must accompany each essay: 1-inch margins minimum on all sides. Entry forms may be copied, but each essay must be attached to a form; essay will not be returned and will become property of Beta Alpha Omega. Essays may not be co-authored.

Organization: The organization structure of the essay will be "logical”.

Mechanics: Spelling will be correct; syntax will be readable; punctuation will be conventional. Essay will be free of sentence fragments. Diction (word choice) will be appropriate to the subject and the writer’s understanding of the topic. Point of view will be appropriate to the topic/subject and will remain constant and consistent.
Judging: Essays will be judged by a panel consisting of Beta Alpha Omega members. In order to be a finalist, the essay must meet all the conditions as stated in the organization and mechanics above, with only incidental errors in mechanics. It must meet the assigned minimum length and must be submitted following the prescribed format.
Please contact Karen Samuels for more information at
essaycontest@betaalphaomega.org