Screengrab from https://www.hawaiilmp.com/
HONOLULU—To promote family unity in a more individualistic society, the FilCom Center, Sariling Gawa and Reiyukai America have launched the first “Letter to My Parents Contest” in Hawaii.
A $1,000 prize will be given to the first place winner. Prizes for the second and third placers will be announced later. The finalists will be presented a certificate of participation at an awards ceremony.
To participate in the contest, a contestant must write a letter dedicated to his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and submit it to the Organizing Committee.
The submitted letters will go through a selection process for the final presentation. The letters that make it to the final stage will be read by the original writer in front of the judges to decide the First Prize winner.
Contestants must be between the ages of 16 to 21 and residing in the State of Hawaii. Anybody who was born between 1992 and 1997 can participate. Participants 17 years old and under must submit a Parental Consent Form giving you] permission to participating at the contest.
The participant is encouraged to be as creative as they want in his/her work while the submitted letter meets the following. Please read carefully and follow the instructions.
Contest and Topics
A contestant is encouraged to submit his/her work illustrated with concrete examples from his/her life within the family so as to reflect on the family relationship. The participant may write on one or more of the suggested topics below.
- How I can improve relationships within my family.
- What my parent(s) or guardian(s) means (mean) to me.
- What I would like to do for my parent(s) or guardian(s)
- How my parent(s’) experiences have affected or shaped the person I am today.
Structure
Each submitted wok must have the following structure:
- To whom it is addressed
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion
- The participant may choose one or combine languages that are used in the State of Hawaii. If any other language besides English is used, the participant is responsible for providing the English translation.
Each work submitted must not exceed more than 900 words. If the work is submitted via e-mail, they must meet the MLA writing format.
Each participant must also know that his/her work must be clear, sincere and written in his/her own words. Quotes are permitted as long as they are properly credited. All references for the citations will not be part of the word count.
First Stage
Participants will be allowed to submit their work starting Sept. 1, 2013. Participants will have until 5 p.m. HAST on Oct. 25, 2013, to submit their letters.
Semifinal Stage
The letters that have been submitted will pass through an elimination process by which the 10 best letters will be selected by Nov. 8, 2013.The contestants who make through the final stage will be conducted by the Organizing Committee via e-mail or phone.
Final Stage
This will take place on the “FilCom Sundays” event that will be held on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at the FilCom Center in Waipahu. The finalists will be reading aloud their letters they submitted without altering or modifying the content.
During the presentation of the letters, there will be simultaneous translations. The judges will then determine the 1st Prize winner. The judges will consist of people that are recognized for their moral and intellectual reliability and will be chosen by the organizing committee, and their decisions will not be appealable.
ENTRY INFORMATION
The participants may submit their work via e-mail. Those who do not have access to the Internet are more than welcome to visit the FilCom Center and use its Computer Lab.
Website www.lettertomyparents.com
Send your entry through e-mail including the following:
- Original Letter (.doc, .docx, .txt, pdf)
- Copy of official US identification (e.g. driver’s license, school ID or passport)
- Registration Form
- If you are 17 years old or under, do not forget to include Parental Consent Form signed by your parent/guardian. Registration Form and Parental Consent Form can be downloaded from the website or you can request it via e-mail:
info@lettertomyparents.com
CONTACT
For any questions regarding the contest, call (808) 680-0451 or e-mail info@lettertomyprents.com or filcom@filcom.org.