Armenian Genocide Commemoration Essay Contest for High School

NEW YORK — High School and College students are invited to participate in an essay contest to actively support the 101st Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide that will be held in Times Square (43th St/Broadway) on Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 2-4 pm. Co-sponsors of the contest include the Knights & Daughters of Vartan, www.kofv.org, an international Armenian fraternal organization with headquarters in the U.S., and Facing History and Ourselves, www.facinghistory.org, an international educational and professional development organization.

One winner and two runner-ups will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges. First place winner will receive $300, second place runner-up will receive $200 and third place runner-up will receive $100. The winners will also be recognized at the Armenian Genocide Commemoration at Times Square on Sunday, April 24, 2016 and depending on time constraints, may read their essays. Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 1, 2016.

Questions to address in essays: When did you first learn about the Armenian Genocide? What actions need to be taken globally to help increase genocide awareness and prevent history from repeating itself? (800 words maximum, double-spaced 12 point Arial type: Please include student’s full name, age, teacher’s full name and subject area, name of high school or college, year in school, hometown/state, phone #, and email address at the top of each page of the essay.)

The three winners will be contacted directly and announced to the mainstream and Armenian media the week of Monday, April 11, 2016.

Submit essays via email by Friday, April 1, 2016 to: Taleen via email at april24nyc@gmail.com

About the Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Times Square
Founded in 1985 by the late Sam Azadian, former Brooklyn, NY resident, who lost four siblings during the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Genocide Commemoration at Times Square has honored the 1.5+ million Armenian lives lost during the horrific events of the 1915 Genocide of the Armenians by the Young Turk Government of the Ottoman Empire.

This internationally-recognized annual event draws thousands of Armenians and non- Armenian participants to commemorate the solemn occasion. The event features speeches and tributes delivered by prominent political figures and civic leaders, officials of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, representatives of major Armenian-American organizations, and distinguished scholars and educators as well as high-ranking Armenian and non-Armenian clergy.