KIRKWOOD HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS AND ADVISORY COMMISSION

SPONSORS ESSAY CONTEST

Kirkwood, Missouri – Tuesday, August 21, 2007 – The City of Kirkwood’s Human Rights Awareness and Advisory Commission is sponsoring an essay contest for 11^th graders. The essay topic is “With so many pressing human rights issues in our communities, where should we focus our energy and attention, and why?” Commission members will judge the essays on thematic maturity, content, and communication. The deadline for receipt of the essays is 4 p.m. Friday, September 21, 2007. Essay contest rules can be found on the city’s web site at www.ci.kirkwood.mo.us/admin/city-clerk/hr-advisory.htm. HRAAC Chair Dave Freese said, “We initiated this contest last year and were absolutely blown away by the excellence and the maturity of the essays we received.”

In 2006, Kirkwood joined the National League of City’s Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities. The Partnership aims to:

• Raise awareness and focus attention on the importance and value of inclusive communities.
• Motivate cities and towns to make a public commitment to building inclusive communities.
• Provide support to local officials in focused efforts around affordable housing, race and ethnic relations, and equal citizen participation in community decision-making.
• Share valuable insights, experiences, and lessons learned among the participating cities and towns.
• Recognize, publicize, and celebrate the work of cities and towns that join the Partnership.

Contest awards, funded by area service clubs, will be $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place. The contest is open to any Kirkwood resident entering the 11^th grade for the 2007-08 school year or any 11^th grade student attending Vianney, Ursuline, or Kirkwood High School.

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