Deadline Approaches in "Celebrate America" Writing Contest

Jan. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- SAN ANTONIO, TX – In celebration of the 125 anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, the San Antonio division of the Texas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, along with the American Immigration Council (AIC) (a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of Immigration Law and the value of immigration to American society), is again accepting submissions from fifth graders on the topic “Why I am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants”.  

The top six San Antonio area participants who best express the theme through essays, poems, short stories, or interviews will receive cash grants and prizes, including special anniversary Statue of Liberty mementoes. In addition, local winners will have the opportunity to present their winning entries to newly inducted U.S. citizens, along with their families and friends, at a naturalization ceremony presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge John Primomo.  One outstanding entrant will be selected to attend the Council’s 15th Annual Benefit Dinner, to be held in Nashville, Tennessee on June 15, 2012, and to have his or her entry posted in the Congressional Record, to remain a vital part of U.S. history.

The “Celebrate America” program is intended to inspire educators to bring U.S. immigration history and lessons into their classrooms, and gives fifth graders the opportunity to explore America as a nation of immigrants.  Joseph B. De Mott, a founding partner with the law firm De Mott, McChesney, Curtright, and Armendariz, has been a proud supporter of this particular program on a local level for nearly a decade; he says, “Whenever I have the opportunity to visit schools and speak with students, their teachers, and their parents about immigration, I’m always impressed with how enthusiastic and engaged they are about the subject. I truly enjoy hearing the personal stories that they share about the role immigration has played in their family’s history and in making them who they are today.”

This program is open to students in San Antonio and surrounding areas who are enrolled in either public and private schools, as well as those who are home schooled. Judges will be looking for entries that are clear, concise, and creative, and that best celebrate the theme. Javier Roman, co‐owner of Worldwide Languages & Communication, LLC., a language and culture translation service provider, is a judge for this year’s competition, and says, “I am honored that Mr. De Mott asked me to participate in such a great program that encourages children at such a young age to express their thoughts on how the diversity of our culture has been and continues to be strengthened by immigration.”

Entries are limited to 500 words and can be essays, poems, short stories, interviews, 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.

Entry Requirements:
• Cover page must include student’s name, address, grade, age, school, and telephone number, and an email address.

• Proof of enrollment in the fifth grade—such as report cards, transcripts, or letter from the student’s teacher, the school principal, or the guidance counselor.

• A Release Form (available by calling Patti at 210.590.1844 or by sending an email to patricia@demottusa.com) must be signed by the participant and a parent or guardian.

• All essays must be post‐marked or delivered in person no later than Friday, February 10, 2012 to:

American Immigration Council’s “Celebrate America” Call for Submissions
c/o De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Associates ‐ Immigration Lawyers
8930 Fourwinds Dr., Suite 106
San Antonio, TX 78239‐1971