Student Essay and Poem Contest Winners Announced

Facing History and Ourselves is pleased to announce the winners of the essay and poem contest, Becoming American: The Immigrant Experience. High school students living in Southern California who have been studying the Facing History curriculum were invited to take part in this writing competition that challenged each of them to examine their own experiences with immigration, and explore what it means to ‘become American'.

Answering questions that included "is immigration a human rights issue?" and "what does it mean to be an immigrant in 2007 Los Angeles?" Each of these students took a thoughtful and introspective look into their own families, communities, and country. The result was an abundance of articulate and inspiring essays and poems.

First place winner is Karelle Just, an 11th grade student from Merlin HS. Karelle will read her poem entitled "Be Longing" on Wednesday October 24, 2007 at Facing History and Ourselves' and The Allstate Foundation's Community Conversation event with special guest speaker Sonia Nazario, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of the book Enrique's Journey. This event will take place from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California.

Facing History and Ourselves would like to thank everyone who participated in the Becoming American essay and poem contest, and congratulate all of the honorees and their teachers:

First place: Karelle Just, "Be Longing" 11th grade, Merlin HS, (teacher, Katherine Thompson)
Second place: Esther Garza, "Immigrant's Life" 10th grade, Animo Justice Charter HS (teacher, Joshua Cooke)

Honorable Mentions:
Paulina Castaneda, 11th grade, Glendale HS (teacher, Olivia Macaulay)
Alexandria Cole, 10th grade, Merlin High School, (teacher, Katherine Thompson)
John Cruz, 9th grade, Merlin High School, (teacher, Katherine Thompson)
Leonardo Gutierrez, 10th grade, Animo Justice Charter HS (teacher, Joshua Cooke)
Mayra Islas, 10th grade, Animo Justice Charter HS, (teacher, Joshua Cooke)
Christina Lee, 9th grade, Beverly Hills High School (teacher, Malia Frutschy)
Hayarpi Petrosyan, 11th grade, Glendale High School, (teacher, Olivia MaCaulay)
Giovanna Putti, 11th grade, Santa Monica HS (teacher, Tisha Reichle)
Bogdan Rusu, 11th grade, Santa Monica HS (teacher Tisha Reichle)
Jasmine Elizabeth-Grace Anne Soufer, 9th grade, Merlin High School teacher, (Katherine Thompson)