Overview
Topics
Contestants are to choose one of the following topics for their essay:
1. Combating racial injustice in the age of social media
2. What does Islam teach us about racial discrimination?
3. The impact of racism on the well-being of a community
4. Combating racial injustice in the schools
5. Combating racism while maintaining diverse cultural identities
Important Dates
Contest start date: Feb 1st 2023
Essay Submission Deadline: Feb 15th 2023 11:59pm.
Participants: Open to all New Jersey High School Students in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.
Prizes for each grade level
1st Prize – A Samsung or Apple tablet
2nd Prize – $200 gift card
3rd Prize – $100 gift card
(Note – Grades 9th and 10th are Level-1, Grades 10th and 11th are Level-2)
Submitting your Essay
Judging
Judging Criteria
CSJ NJ 2023 Essay Contest Framework:
- Entries will be blind judged by members of ICNA NJ and their associates.
- Entries must be in good taste, easy to read, use proper grammar and
punctuation, and correct spelling. - Writing quality, clarity and impact, including organization into introduction,
main body and clear conclusion are important. - Depth of research and analysis including citing of relevant references will
be considered. - Evidence of original thought and creativity on important issues and
challenges of race and injustice will be considered. - Entries should be relevant to current events.
Rules
ELIGIBILITY
- Contest is open to anyone attending school in New Jersey in the 9th through 12th grade. Entrants under 18 must have their parent or legal guardian’s permission to enter the competition.
- Submissions must be original and unpublished.
- All entries must follow the rules in this document.
HOW TO SUBMIT TO THE 2023 ICNA CSJ NJ BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST
- Each contestant can submit ONLY one entry. Duplicate entries are not accepted
- There is no registration fee for submitting an entry.
- Entries must be typed (or pasted) onto the online form found here: https://bit.ly/csj-nj-contest
- Entries must be no more than 600 words.
- Entries must not include illustrations or pictures.
- Essay submissions will be accepted beginning on February 1 st , 2023.
- The deadline for essay submissions is midnight Feb. 15, 2023.
- Any deviation from these rules could be the basis for disqualification.
AWARDS
- Contest winners will be announced on Monday, February 27, 2023 via a press release, ICNA NJ website and social media post. All entrants will be notified of the winners via email.
- The best entry from each grade category will be awarded either a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, or an Apple iPad.
- The entire text of the overall best entry will be included in a press release announcement.
- Second and third prizes will be awarded for both the 9th grade and 10th grade category and the 11th and 12th grade category. Second prize will be a $200 Amazon gift card and third prize will be a $100 Amazon gift card. Honorable mentions will receive a certificate.
QUESTIONS?
- Please check the FAQ page here.
- Additional questions may be submitted to essaycontest@icnanj.org .
Prizes
AWARDS
- Contest winners will be announced on Monday, February 27, 2023 via a press release, ICNA NJ website and social media post. All entrants will be notified of the winners via email.
- The best entry from each grade category will be awarded either a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, or an Apple iPad.
- The entire text of the overall best entry will be included in a press release announcement.
- Second and third prizes will be awarded for both the 9th grade and 10th grade category and the 11th and 12th grade category. Second prize will be a $200 Amazon gift card and third prize will be a $100 Amazon gift card. Honorable mentions will receive a certificate.
FAQ’s
No. This contest is open to NJ students attending public, private and charter schools in NJ who are currently (as of February of 2023) in grades 9 through 12
Each student is allowed one entry.